William "Bill" Luther Owens Jr.

William “Bill” Luther Owens, Jr., Age 85, departed this life on Sunday, January 3, 2021, at Culpeper Medical Center. He was born in Washington, D.C. on September 2, 1935, to William Luther Owens, Sr., and Francis Harris Owens. Bill’s school years were spent in Arlington County, VA, where he graduated from Washington-Lee High School in 1954, along with his future wife, Barbara Jean Chamblin. Bill and Jean began their 62-year marriage on September 7, 1958, at Central United Methodist Church in Arlington. Bill graduated from American University in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He went directly from graduation into the United States Army, serving six months in active duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and six years in the reserves. Following active military service, he worked for two years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, then pursued a 26-year career as an economic statistician in the Retail Sales Division of the U.S. Census Bureau. Bill was highly involved with his two sons in youth baseball and basketball in Fairfax County, VA, where he served many years as an umpire and referee. Upon retirement, he split his time between Culpeper and Smith Mountain Lake where he enjoyed camping, boating, and family visits. As an avid golfer, he was a member of Culpeper Country Club. He was also active in the Culpeper Ruritans, as well as Hopewell and Culpeper United Methodist Churches. He had a love of wild birds and derived much pleasure from feeding and watching them. As a life-long baseball fan, Bill was excited about the return of professional Baseball to Washington, D.C. in 2005. He enjoyed many summer evenings viewing Washington Nationals games and discussing the sport with family and friends. Bill is survived by his wife, Jean C. Owens of Culpeper, VA; two sons, William L. Owens, III and his wife, Marilla, of Charlottesville, VA, and Keith M. Owens and his wife, Jennifer, of Lorton, VA; six grandchildren, Lydia Hromanik and her husband, Ben, of Salisbury, MD, and Mason, Nichole, Oliver, William, and Alyssa Owens; one brother, Robert H. Owens and his wife, Sue; a nephew, Robert H. Owens, Jr. and his wife, Lyana; a niece, Rachel O. Brown and her husband, Steve; and numerous great-nieces and cousins. A graveside service for immediate family will be held at Lael Baptist Church Cemetery, 23296 Germanna Highway, Lignum, VA 22726 on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Norma Jean Fellows officiating. Condolences and memories of Bill may be offered to the Owens family on the website of Clore-English Funeral Home at clore-english.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lael Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Keith Harris, 20409 Harris Lane, Culpeper, VA 22701.