In the 1968-1969 academic year, O'Neal taught as a graduate assistant in the History Department at East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. In 1970, he became a full-time faculty member at Panola College, a position that he held for thirty-three years. During his teaching career, O'Neal often dressed in the clothing which might have been worn by various historical characters. He attempted to convince students of the value of history in their daily lives and the unique information available through historical research. He created a "Traveling Texas" history course.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.panola.edu/recruiting/pr2003/billoneal.htm|title=End Of An Era|accessdate=August 19, 2013; no longer on-line}}</ref> Panola College was founded in 1947 to offer educational opportunities, primarily, to returning [[World War II]] service personnel. | In the 1968-1969 academic year, O'Neal taught as a graduate assistant in the History Department at East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. In 1970, he became a full-time faculty member at Panola College, a position that he held for thirty-three years. During his teaching career, O'Neal often dressed in the clothing which might have been worn by various historical characters. He attempted to convince students of the value of history in their daily lives and the unique information available through historical research. He created a "Traveling Texas" history course.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.panola.edu/recruiting/pr2003/billoneal.htm|title=End Of An Era|accessdate=August 19, 2013; no longer on-line}}</ref> Panola College was founded in 1947 to offer educational opportunities, primarily, to returning [[World War II]] service personnel. |