William Bruckner Owens

William Bruckner Owens of Decatur, Georgia, died peacefully in his sleep on January 6, 2014, at the age of 96. He was born on July 11, 1917, in Augusta, GA, the son of Elizabeth Bruckner Owens and Clinton Brown Owens, Jr. After the family moved to Decatur when he was an infant, Bill attended Glennwood Elementary School and Decatur Boys High. He later received a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering under the Co-Op Plan from Georgia Tech in 1940. In World War II he served for five years as Ordnance Officer in the Air Force in the US and Italy. He remained in the Army Reserve for 23 years, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. He enjoyed every job he ever had, and his employment included Georgia Railroad, State Highway Department (both Co-Op jobs), Link Belt Co, Georgia Power Co, Ohio Brass Co, and the Southeastern Electric Exchange, from which he retired as Executive Director in 1982. He was a devoted family man and is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Adelaide Bowen Owens; two daughters, Dr. Margaret Owens Preble and her husband Dr. Larry Preble of Louisville, KY, Katherine Fisher Slade and her husband Tom Slade of Lilburn, GA; son William Reed Owens and his wife Pam Newsome Owens of Atlanta, GA; five grandchildren, Christi Fisher Nouraee and her husband Andy, Ronald William Fisher (Krista Jarrell), Megan Owens Pankow and her husband Josh, Taylor Reed Owens (Sallie Godfrey-Kittle) and Rick Preble; two great granddaughters, Adelaide June Nouraee and Emmeline Katherine Nouraee; a brother, Joseph B. Owens, and two nephews, Joe Jr. and John Owens. Bill was an active, dedicated member of the Decatur Presbyterian Church for over 90 years, having served as both Deacon and Elder. He was a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club and later of the Decatur Rotary Club. He also maintained a lifelong interest in the Boy Scouts of America, having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and later serving as Scoutmaster of Decatur Troop 163. Bill had many interesting hobbies and always had a project going. He enjoyed making fine furniture in his wood working shop, improving his home, helping friends with their home projects, and traveling the globe with Adelaide, the children and friends. A family graveside service in Decatur Cemetery will be held on Friday, January 10, at 1:00 PM, followed by a Memorial Service at Decatur Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow in Slack Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to Decatur Presbyterian Church, 205 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA, 30030.



Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033