Wednesday, June 12, 2013

William Owen, Sr. (June 11, 2013)

William Owen, Sr., 89, of Greenville, OH, passed away Tuesday evening, June 11, 2013, at the Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH.

He was born in Camden, Arkansas, son of the late Henry and Pertha (Stephens) Owen. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by 2 sons, Tony Owens and James Owens.

Bill had had an interesting life from playing on barnstorming baseball teams, which he was known as "#22", to attending Martin Luther King's funeral and walking next to Bobby Kennedy, to working for President Harry S. Truman for 3 years.

He had spent most of his time locally working for Ripp Family Farm near Union City and Wayne Detling Farm's in the Ansonia area. He was a member of the General Grand Masonic Congress 32nd Degree in Gary, IN, and 50 years in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of A.F. & A.M.

Bill is survived by his children, William (Kay) Owens, Jr. of Arcadelphia, Ark., Charlotte (Bobby) Neal of Arcadelphia, Ark., Verda Wilbon of Buffalo, NY; 8 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sister, Ida Mae Smith of Camden, Ark.; special friends, Louise Oswalt, Joyce Ripp and family, and Pam (Paul) Weaver; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013 at the Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home, 1000 N. Broadway, Greenville, OH. with Bob Armstrong officiating.Burial will follow in the Greenville Township Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Shriner's Children's Hospitals.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.oliverfloyd.com.