Billy Owens

Billy Owens, age 98, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on Sunday June 17, 2012 at the Big Bend Hospice House. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 1700 N. Meridian Road. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the church narthex. A private graveside service will be held at Oakland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice at 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 1700 N. Meridian Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Born December 7, 1913 in Clio, Alabama, he was the son of the late Homer and Bettie Brock Owens. He settled in Tallahassee in 1936 where he met Mildred Bedenbaugh and was married in 1942. He was drafted into the Army and served as a Staff Sergeant from 1942 to 1946 in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Australia. After being discharged from the Army, he returned to Tallahassee and began his career as a brick mason, a trade he learned from his father. One of his well remembered jobs was working on the Jim Woodruff Dam in Chattahoochee, FL. In the 1950’s he went into the construction business as a General Contractor, Builder and Developer and retired in the 1980’s. He developed and built many subdivisions in Tallahassee; Parkside, Sabal Village, Brandt Hills and Piedmont Park. He also built custom homes and apartment complexes; Chez Sois, Hidden Valley, Hayden Road and many others throughout the city. In the 1950’s he was one of the first contractors to build contemporary homes with cathedral ceilings and was considered to be ahead of the times. He had a reputation for quality and ability, of which he was proud. As told by a former employee, “Mr. Owens stood behind his work and always made sure his customers received a quality house. He was unflappable, honorable, respected and an old fashioned gentleman. His friends knew they could always count on him. He was honest and fair and treated everyone with respect and kindness.” He was a Past President of the Tallahassee Builders Association from 1959-1960 and a National Area Vice President, served on legislative committees and participated in composing present lien laws. He was a founding member of the TBA Parade of Homes, served on the City of Tallahassee Parks & Recreation board for nine years, YMCA board and was on the original planning committee of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the original sponsors of the Tallahassee Babe Ruth Baseball League and was involved in the Boy Scouts of America Troop #115. He was also a charter member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. In his later years he became a licensed realtor. Billy was an avid reader who loved biographies, poetry and Shakespeare. He enjoyed movie classics and had a passion for music. He visited the library several times a week. His granddaughter Amy taught him to use the computer and e-mail at the age of 90. He spent many years at Dog Island with family and friends, where he and Mildred loved to entertain. He was a person who loved life and when asked “how are you doing?” he replied “If I was any better I couldn’t stand it” or “JUST RIGHT”. Some of his other fond sayings were “up and at’em”, “the day is so beautiful that it lifts the spirits”, “is there anything new that’s worth tellin?”, and “whatcha know good”? As Billy would say about someone he admired, he is a “true prince of a fellow” and Billy was certainly that as well. Billy was preceded in death by his two sisters Bennie Owens Jones and Sybil Owens Jones of Tallahassee. He was married to the late Mildred Bedenbaugh Owens-Cain for 42 years. Billy is survived by two sons: William E. (Billy) Owens and wife Lynda of Tallahassee, Robert (Bobby) Owens of Panacea, FL., one daughter Charlotte E. Clayton and husband William (W. C.) of Tallahassee; nieces Betty Jones Sizemore of Tallahassee, FL, Linda Jones McLean of Nashville, TN, Bernice Artiglere of Panacea, FL, nephew Irving R. Jones of Crawfordville, FL; and several great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Stacy Hudson and husband Nikki of Samson, AL, Amy Owens Hawkins and husband James and Angie Owens Bertoch of Tallahassee, FL; five great grandchildren: Devin and Cody Hudson of Samson, AL, Owen and Andrew Hawkins , and Amelia Bertoch of Tallahassee, FL. Bevis Funeral Home of Tallahassee, FL (850-385-2193), www.bevisfh.com, is in charge of the arrangements

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Billy Owens

December 7, 1913 - June 17, 2012