William Lee Owens

William Lee Owens, 62, went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 1, 2012 at his home in Columbia.

Born in Columbia in 1949 to the late Melvin Lee Owens and to the former Ruby Lewis, “Bill” served for six years in the U. S. Marine Corps, including one tour in Vietnam, and later served in the Mule Town detachment of the Columbia Marine Corps League. He retired from Nissan in 2007 after working in the maintenance department for 23 years, and he could build or fix anything he put his mind to. He loved hunting, wood turning, his family and God.

William will be greatly missed by his wife of 33 years, Cindy Thomas Owens; his children Chad Owens, Clint (April) Owens and Cayce (Matthew) Drobek; his three grandchildren; Mackinzie Owens, Lilly Owens, Mayce Drobek; his loving dog, Gracie Owens; his mother Ruby Fralix; his siblings Ron (Sarah) Owens, Wanda (Dennis) Owens, Barbara (Steve) Russell, Janice Jeter and Beverly (Mickey) Wallace; several uncles, aunts and cousins; his many friends; and all those whom he touched with his warmth, kindness and generosity.

Funeral services for William Lee Owens will be officiated by Rev. Mark Lindstrom, Rev. Gene Shelton, Ray Lewis and Al Bigger and will be held at Grace Church of the Nazarene, on Highland Avenue in Columbia, on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, October 3 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the church and again from 10:00 until time for service on Thursday. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens with the Marine Corps Honor Guard providing military honors. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Hrishi Kanth, Dr. Howard Kushner, Vickie Monroe, Steven Hood, Ken Little, Cal Hicks, hospice staff, and all the many volunteers who helped care for him.

Williams Funeral Home of Columbia is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .