Billie Dee Owens

Billie Dee Owens, age 86 of Linn passed away Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Autumn Meadows Skilled Nursing Center in Linn.

Billie was born October 23, 1925 in Linn, a son to the late Floyd and Mattie (Ware) Owens.

Billie attended school in Linn and lived all of his life in Osage County.

Billie was a World War II Navy Veteran serving on the USS Hoggatt Bay. Billie was later employed by Southwestern Bell in Linn where he worked as an installer repairman, retiring after 37 years of service.

On August 21, 1948 Billie was united in marriage to Helen L. Voss in Linn. She preceded him in death on November 5, 2001.

Billie was a member of St. George Catholic Church in Linn and VFW Post 4756. He was very much the caretaker and the fixer. He loved his family and was always the pillar of strength for his wife, his children and his grandchildren.

For several years he lived at the river in Bonnots Mill. He loved it there. He enjoyed fishing, deer and squirrel hunting, gardening, playing bingo, visiting with neighbors, hosting fish fries at his pavilion and taking the grandkids with him to run trotlines. Many of his grandchildren were blessed to have spent a summer's week at the river with grandpa.

After his illness prevented him from enjoying the things he loved most, he spent many hours watching and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals and thinking about his children, grandchildren and relatives. He once said, "I have a lot of time to think about everyone. I pray for them-a lot."

Billie is survived by: one son, John Owens of Holts Summit; eight daughters, Billie Sue Maasen of Osage Beach, Janie Huskey and her husband Ken of Centralia, Patti Moeller and her husband Ronnie of Linn, Ruthie Rinehart and her husband Steve of Centralia, Margie Haslag and her husband Roger of Loose Creek, Sallie Hunt and her husband Johnnie of Centralia, Tonie Perrey and her husband Doug of Westphalia and Amie Watson and her husband Tom of Plainview, NE; 23 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, Billie was preceded in death by an infant son, four sisters, Mary Ruth Grizzle, Lola Heet, Katherine Jett and Thelma Nelson as well as three brothers, Jimmie Owens, Floyd Jr."Todd" Owens and Marvin Owens.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at Morton Chapel in Linn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 25, 2012 at St. George Catholic Church in Linn with Fr. I.C. Medina as the Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. George Parish Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation.