[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 59 (Thursday, April 1, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E330-E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE LATE WILLIAM O'BOYLE, SR., ON HIS INDUCTION INTO 
                 THE LUZERNE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT-

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2021

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Plymouth Little 
League founder, veteran, and northeastern Pennsylvania native William 
O'Boyle, Sr. William was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall 
of Fame in 2020 for his community engagement and as a co-founder of the 
Plymouth Little League. He and his fellow inductees will be honored at 
a reception this spring.
  Each year, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame honors those who 
have brought fame and recognition to the State of Pennsylvania through 
their outstanding achievements and contributions in athletic endeavors.
  William was born in 1922 and grew up in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. In 
his youth, he enjoyed all sports and was a particularly talented roller 
skater and ice skater. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1941.
  William answered the call to serve his country and joined the United 
States Army to fight in World War II. He was part of the Normandy 
invasion when Allied troops stormed the beaches of Northern France. 
After exiting the landing craft, he valiantly progressed up the

[[Page E331]]

hill toward the enemy, and in his charge to engage in combat, he 
stepped on a land mine which resulted in the loss of his right leg.
  William was not deterred by his injury; he returned home and was 
fitted with a prosthetic leg. He married his wife, Elizabeth, and 
together they had one son, William, Jr. He worked at Leslie Fay as 
their traffic manager and became actively involved in his local 
community. In 1950, with his friend Joseph ``Shep'' Chepulis, he 
cofounded the Plymouth Little League. He served as league president 
every year except for the 4 years his son played in the league. Under 
his direction, Maureen Dillion was appointed the first female umpire in 
local Little League history, and she would eventually be named the 
league's umpire-in-chief.
  Moved by his time in the Army and seeking to connect with those who 
shared similar experiences, William became active in local veterans' 
organizations. He was a past commander of the Plymouth American Legion 
and VFW and a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the 
Fraternal Order of Eagles.
  William passed away in 1995, but the Plymouth Little League and his 
legacy as a community role model and leader live on.
  It is an honor to recognize William on his induction into the Luzerne 
County Sports Hall of Fame. May his story and dedication to his 
community serve as an inspiration to the next generation of 
Pennsylvanians.

                          ____________________