June 23, 2010
St. Louis MO
William Michael, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church on Wednesday, June 23, 2010. Beloved husband of 41 years to Lucy Anne Lally (nee Daugherty); loving father of Tim (Tammy) Lally, Rick Lally and Susan (John) Rogers; loving grandfather of Bryan, Sean, Stefanie Anne, Jeremie Sigmund, Olivia Grace, Annie and Shandi; dear brother of Jack (Julie) and Michael (Maryanne) Lally; dear brother-inlaw, uncle, cousin, mentor and friend. Bill was a Catholic priest, counselor, teacher, minister (FCM) and professor. He was a member of St. Cronan Church and founding member of The Reaching Out Group.
Bill was a founding member of Reaching Out of St. Louis. He served as a Catholic priest, a counselor, teacher, and professor. He was a member of the Federation of Christian Ministries and for nearly thirty years he and Anne, his wife, gathered the local members of FCM once a month for a meeting. They were FCM regional vice presidents for many years. Bill and Anne served several terms as presidents and coordinators of Reaching Out. Together they took their turn at preparing and leading worship. They conducted a prison ministry and a wedding ministry.
Bill was a man of great faith, but did not have a blind faith. He was constantly seeking contemporary ways of understanding the faith that he had. His faith moved him to be generous, not only giving financial aid to charity, but also finding time to give a compassionate ear to someone who needed to talk. He visited the sick and he was an advocate for people who were on the margins of society. He was an avaricious reader and an enthusiastic baseball fan.
Bill's family and friends filled St. Cronan Church in Saint Louis for the Mass of the Resurrection on Saturday, June 26. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery.