WILLIAM “BILL” DEAN OWEN
WILLIAM “BILL” DEAN OWEN
William “Bill” Dean Owen, 83, of Kahoka, passed away peacefully at 3:08 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.
He was born on November 30, 1938, in rural Williamstown, the son of the late Earl & Fern (Swanson) Owen. Bill graduated from Williamstown high school in 1956, he was later drafted into the United States Army and served in Germany. He married Linda Ward on June 20, 1968, in Keokuk, Iowa and she preceded him in death on November 1, 1982. Bill worked as an iron worker with Burlington Local #577 for 33 years until his retirement.
Bill had a love for music, he enjoyed singing and writing songs, he liked going for drives and he especially enjoyed visiting with his friends of a morning over coffee at Steve’s, where he would also have most of his meals. Bill liked to tinker with mechanical implements; he was an inventor with two patents which included a patented wood chip boiler. He was a member of the American Legion Herman Blum Post #192 and the VFW Post #4342.
He is survived by his son; Chad Owen of New London, a daughter; Deana (Mirko Beusan) Owen of Georgetown, Indiana, five grandchildren; Mason, William & Anna Owen, Sofie & Carsten Beusan; two stepsons; Kipp (Kathy) Randolph of Donnellson, Iowa & Gary (Cathy) Randolph of Canton, four step grandchildren, a sister in-law; Helen Owen of Kahoka and by several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by a brother; Robert Owen, his sister and brother in-law; Mary & Ross Cochenour and by two nephews; Richard “Rick” Owen and Bobby Cochenour.
Memorial graveside services honoring Bill’s life were conducted at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Kahoka Cemetery where military rites were accorded. Pastor Kim McNamar presided. The Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home of Kahoka were entrusted with the care and arrangements. Memorial contributions in memory of Bill are suggested to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Acknowledgement of Military Service
The members of the United States Army, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars hereby acknowledge that our comrade-in-arms William Dean “Bill” Owen served our country for one year, eleven months, and twenty-eight days in the United States Army.
He served as a Combat Engineer with Company B, 18th Engineer Battalion, i11United States Army in the European Theatre.
He attained the rank of Specialist 4 (E-4).
He was awarded and authorized to wear the following decorations: Expert Marksmanship Badge – M-14 Rifle
He was inducted 14 November 1961, received an honorable discharge 11 November 1963 and returned to Clark County, Missouri. He
was transferred to the United States Army Reserves obligated to serve until 13 November 1967.
He was a twenty-year member of the American Legion, Department of Missouri, Herman Blum Post 192, Kahoka, Missouri. Bill was a long-time member of Post 192 Military Funeral Honors Guard.
The caissons have been muffled and the flag lowered for Specialist 4 Owen, who joined the staff of the supreme commander 11 September 2022. At his final post we wish him fair skies and smooth pathways.
