William Lee Pettis III

Our Courageous Warrior; William Lee Pettis III (formally Donnell Hill) sadly fought his last battle on September 4, 2025. He was a Father, Son, Nephew, Uncle, Partner and Friend who truly embodied what it meant to care for others and be there when it really mattered. Born on September 8, 1969 to Rudolph Hill and Violet Pettis. He attended Brooklyn Park High School and enjoyed participating in Football and Wrestling. He had a special gift of making friends and seeking out the underdog who needed a bear hug, this is why he’s had the same friends since Kindergarten. It is not the things that make the Man but the HEART and boy his heart was GOLDEN. He was a man of sheer determination and will to have his dream come true and become a Proud United States Marine “Oorah Devil Dog” and enlisted in 1988. After bootcamp he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California in 3/1 Kilo Company as a Rifleman and the Units Radioman. LCPL Hill was an Award Decorated Combat Promoted Desert Storm Veteran. During his Military career he got to see the world twice, with fond memories of how each night sky is different and more beautiful than the rest. During his Honorable Service he was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 stars. National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Rifle Marksman Badge, Pistol Marksman Badge and Letter of Appreciation. You don’t get that many achievements without the team work of others and he put his faith, loyalty, trust, honor, courage and commitment into the Corp and the Marines he served with. Civilians will never really know what it’s like to truly put your life in the hands of others with complete and utter trust, but he did and it is here that he made Brothers for life. This close band of brothers was there for him until he left this planet. Ghost West Coast, East Coast it didn’t matter; he loved to fish. Some of his fondest memories were spent on the water with friends and loved ones. His BESTEST fishing buddy and childhood best friend of forty years, Jimmy Hunter, he loved fishing with you, laughing with you and teasing you. He didn’t just love music, he embodied it, lived it, felt it, believed it down to the core of his beautiful soul. Last month he and Taylor spent almost 8,000 apple music minutes together, that’s dedication. If your windows weren’t rattling then he said the music wasn’t loud enough. He loved a great meal, especially a cheeseburger. He thought nothing in life couldn’t be solved by eating an In-N-Out 4x4 Stack cheeseburger. He had a fun mischievous spirit and loved to laugh. It didn’t matter what he did, he did it with fun, joy, laughter and conviction and an insatiable thirst for life always swinging for the fences and succeeding. I found this Meme saved in his phone, “If Heaven asks what I’m most proud of, I won’t point to my achievements or awards, I’ll Point to My Children.” He is survived by his cherished children, Phillip, Donnell and Taylor. The pride he had for his children is immeasurable and he loved talking about them. He is survived by his Devoted Queen Mother, Violet Frances Pettis of Pumphrey. These two were thick as thieves and in it to win it together. Not a day went by without him expressing his gratitude, appreciation, respect and love to his Mother. They have walked this earth as a team with faith in their Lord that God always has a plan even if we don’t like it or understand it. He is survived by his Loving Queen Wife, Shannon O’Connor. The three years we lived, laughed, loved and shared together My Darling King Husband were the most alive I have ever felt in my life and your presence will never be replaced or forgotten because our love is written in our Souls. His best quality was he never knew how special he was, but I did and I scooped up on his loving heart and soul and nurtured it, loved it, healed it and protected it and it was the most honest, loving journey of my life and I wish it was never ending, but Damn What a Ride Baby! I Will Find You in Every Lifetime and Every Universe. Did you Know You Saved Me From The Fall? He is survived by his Uncle Alexander Pettis. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and a plethora of friends and family that he picked along the way and reached out to and welcomed them into his orbit. He embodied what being a true friend meant and that was his super power. He was preceded in death by his Dad, Rudolph Hill. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, William Pettis Sr. and Charlotte Pettis, who he respected immensely and loved madly especially his "Charlotte” and it gives me solace to know he is back in her loving arms again. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Marla. I know heaven is saying “for real for real again.” He was preceded in death by his Uncle William Lee Pettis Jr. You two have a round on me and tell him all about me. With the uncertainty of his own health, he reached out and embraced others, offering friendship, encouragement, faith, joy, hope, smile and humor at his dialysis center as the proud patient advocate. He was affectionately known as the ‘Candyman’ and our Daughter teased him relentlessly that he bribed people to be his friend, even though we knew why he was Admired and Cherished. IDF, you were part of his family and he loved you. He always said “it takes an army” and you guys were his army. He realized during his brief time here on earth that life was precious and to appreciate whatever God puts in front of you and carry on. He did so with a cheerful attitude and bright smile. We are forever changed for the better for having been a part of his universe and we will carry him in our hearts and continue his caring spirit. In closing, he opened a fortune cookie and it said “Speak the love language of kindness, and you’ll touch hearts.” He kept that taped in his wallet because I was so excited that the universe saw exactly what he gave others even if he didn’t. It’s your End of Watch Marine but We Will Always Have YOUR Six. Rest Easy, Fair Winds and Following Seas. Semper Fi In keeping with Williams wishes he will be cremated and no services will be offered. Once again, there’s his feistiness and last word. Please consider being an Organ Donor and Giving the Gift of Life.

William Lee Pettis III

September 8, 1969 - September 4, 2025