Artists Registry

William O'Connor

Hammond IN United States

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While the lyrics of Martyrs of Manhattan were written the evening of the September 11th attack on the United States, a suitable melody was not found until nearly three years later. Our song is performed by The Bill Porter Orchestra and its outstanding vocalist, Janice Borla.
This music video presentation was completed in the Spring of 2008. The author (William Joseph O'Connor) is a practicing attorney with no background or training in music. Nonetheless, he has written, composed and recorded six original songs, each in support of a special cause: Martyrs of Manhattan, The Ballad For Life, A Captial Anthem, Tucson Way, Requiem for a Tinhorn Dictator, and Farewell To An Empire.

Bill O'Connor attended the University of Notre Dame and competed for her outstanding swimming and diving coach, Dennis Stark, and volunteered at nearby Logan Center where he met his coach's son, Kenny, who was later honored with the University's Lifetime Achievement award.
Upon graduation, Bill became a union welder, a position he held for eighteen months before attending Pepperdine's Law School, and earned his law degree in 1978. Since then, he has practiced law in the private sector, and serves as Corporation Counsel for the City of Hammond, Indiana.
He has served on two school boards, as an Advocate for the Knights of Columbus, as President of Lake County Right To Life, and is a lifetime member of the NAACP.
Bill created "Festival of the Lakes" - Hammond's summer festival - "College Bound" - Hammond's scholarship program, and "Tom's Top Ten" - Mayor Thomas M. McDermott's mayoral platform.
Born on September 17, 1952, he is married to Sarah J. O'Connor (a social worker). They have four children: Elizabeth (22), Bill (19), Sean (17), and Eileen (15). They reside in the South Hammond.