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 Lt. Col. William Ralph "Bill" Owens age 72, died on Wednesday, February 4, 2015. Born in 1942 in Minneapolis to Olga Jepsen nee Lyberg. Graduated from Roosevelt High School and University of Minnesota in Electrical Engineering, and later received a Masters in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois. He married Carol Ann Johnson in 1964, and served in the US Army for four years, later in the Air National Guard in Wisconsin for 22 years, retiring as a Lt. Col. He was employed in the aerospace industry in Rockford, Il. until retirement when he moved to Arizona to obtain a Masters in Optical Engineering at U of A. He was employed in Tucson by Kaman and the last six years at Raytheon until he retired for good. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his sons, John Randall Owens of Tucson and Mark R. Owens (Rachel) of Brookfield, Wisconsin, and four grandchildren, Rebekah, Abigail, Samuel, and Luke. Bill was proud of his Norwegian heritage, active in Sons of Norway and loved flying as a private pilot. He was an amateur astronomer, and was a docent at Kitt Peak. He and his wife operated Ferret Friends, Inc. ferret shelter. In lieu of flowers donations are appreciated to Ferret Friends, Inc., PO Box 594, Vail AZ 85641 or PayPal to fzyldyqueen@gmail.com Memorial Service will be held Monday, March 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Bring's Broadway Chapel, 6910 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson. Arrangements by BRING'S FUNERAL HOME.
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Melvin Kankelfritz
Very sorry to hear of Bill's death. Remember Bill from the Debate Team.
Mel and Sandi Kankelfritz
Myles G Bakke
What a wonderful and interesting career, wish I'd known him in later years. Sorry to hear of his passing.
Myles Bakke
Robert E. Wold
Bill was a very interesting guy. We had some great talks and chess games. He did have a very interesting life.
Janice Erickson (Batten)
I remember Bill from 5th and 6th grade at Standish School. Didn't know where his life had taken him afterwards, so glad he led such an interesting life, along with family. sorry to hear of his passing.
Janice (Erickson) Batten
Phyllis Sandvig (Halverson)
Carol I'm so sorry to read of Bills passing. Had been looking forward to seeing you at the AZ all class reunion.
Unlike some, I only knew of Bill in our later years, and had so enjoyed knowing him. Certainly a bright man, but fun and personable too.
I'll miss him too.