Willie James Owens

Sunrise: May 16, 1939 Sunset: April 30, 2020

On Thursday, April 30, 2020, Willie James Owens, a loving and devoted father, passed away at age 80 in Gambrills, Maryland. Affectionately known by his family and friends as Billy “O”, he was an honorable U.S. Army veteran, avid reader, global traveler, competitive amateur golfer and jazz and classical music enthusiast.

Born on May 16, 1939 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Willie was the eldest of four children born to Florence Beatrice Henderson. He was the second son of Robert Owens. As a native son of New Orleans, he was baptized at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church at the age of six. Willie treasured the rich cultural, religious, and historical traditions of his family; and, he used them as the contextual underpinning for his love of African American history. In 1956, he married his high school sweetheart Clarisse (Henderson) Owens and together, they moved from NOLA to Denver. Eventually they settled in Boston, where they raised their four children, Kenneth Lee, Cheryl Lynn, Karen Renae and Clarisse Ann on Hazelton Street in Mattapan, Massachusetts. They were married for 57 years. He was known as the patriarch of Hazelton Street, where he often shared his sage advice and life lessons with neighborhood kids. Willie lived in Massachusetts for six decades, before moving to Maryland in 2020.

Daddy had a passion for metaphysics, technology, spiritual readings and music. He was a graduate of the Control Data Institute, where he earned a certificate in computer technology. Willie was a collector of books, stamps and rare coins. He was known as the hardworking provider for his family, who had a zeal for life and a desire for continuous learning through reading and researching.

As a maintenance engineer supervisor for Polaroid for 25 years, and later a Boston Public Schools resource officer, Bill enjoyed helping others. Billy “O” was a serial entrepreneur, who launched several small businesses including a security systems retail company, a mobile locksmith business and a custom golf club fitting venture. He was a former mason of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

He took extreme pride in his five grandchildren Andrea, Shane, Danielle, Matthew and Caleb and three great-grandchildren Aajaylah, Adryana and Malachi.

Dad was preceded in death by his father, Robert, his mother, Beatrice, his younger brother, Joseph, his youngest sister, Ruth, and his only son, Kenneth Lee Owens.

Dad is fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, father-in-law, uncle, former husband, distinguished bid whist player, entrepreneur, champion of black social consciousness, golfer, and U.S. Army veteran. Willie James Owens is survived by his daughters, former wife, sister (Deborah), five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, son-in-law (Walton), numerous loving nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins and friends. Hotep! Ase! May Dad rest in peace.