Bill Edward Owen

Bill Edward Owen, 77, of Groesbeck, passed away Jan. 16, 2021. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at Lost Prairie Cemetery, 502 Highway 3371, Groesbeck. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at Jones Funeral Services, 931 S. Highway 171 in Mexia.

Bill was born Dec. 13, 1943, in Fallon, to John George and Eula Mae Owen. At the age of 18, he met his future wife of 57 years, Mary Beth Holder at a high school Halloween party. He then went on to wed Mary Beth on June 22, 1963. Mary Beth was the absolute love of his life whom he loved whole heartedly. Their marriage and dedication were a true inspiration to many. In 1965, on July 9, they welcomed their first child, a little girl that they named Stephanie Danette Owen. A few short years later, on Aug. 18, 1968, they had their second child, a little boy they named Miles Edward Owen.

Bill was a hardworking man who lived to be able to provide for his family. For many years he was a truck driver and a heavy equipment operator. He was a human road map that could tell you what exit number you needed to take all the way to the name of a highway or interstate in just about every state. In his younger years, he was a member of the Groesbeck Volunteer Fire Department.

He enjoyed spending his free time collecting anywhere from hats and coins, to antiques, or even “junk,” as his wife would call it. Most of his mornings were spent at the Old Union Store where he enjoyed breakfast and long talks with his good friends. Time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was always such a huge joy to him. He was their “PawPaw” and made sure to gift each of them with their own personalized nickname. They always spent weekends on the “farm” or working in his sheds out back. He taught them many attributes that they could use in life.

Bill was well known for his stories from his childhood or younger days and his love for good ol’ Mountain Dews and snacks. No matter how much his wife, children, grandchildren or doctors told him he wasn’t suppose to have those, he refused to put down the Mountain Dew. He made sure he visited the Dollar General once a week for restock.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Eula Mae Owen; sisters, Gladys Cox, Dorothy Ticknor and Helen Reese; and brothers, Barney “Buck” Owen and Charles “Opie” Owen.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Beth Owen (Holder) of Groesbeck; children, Stephanie Owen of Groesbeck and Miles Owen and wife Karen of Axtell; grandchildren, Autumn Owens and husband Stanley, Matthew Owen, Colby Owen, Jasmine McClendon and fiancé Tyler Wade, Kaleb Rosales, Malachi Owen and Mackenzie Owen; 12 great-grandchildren with another on the way; as well as sisters, Martha Ruddick of Corsicana and Jonnie Dell Smith of Gause.

Please visit www.jonesfuneralservicestx.com to sign the guestbook and leave a memorial message for the family.