William F. Owens

William Frederick Owens, age 90 of Clinton, MD, formerly of Leonardtown, MD joined our Heavenly Lord on 24 January 2018 at his residence after a nine-year battle with dementia. William Frederick “Fred” was born to the late William Freeman and Anna Elizabeth (Thompson) Owens on 22 May 1927 in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, MD. His mother died when he was nine months old, and his father later remarried widow Mary Lillian (Armsworthy) Dunbar when Fred was three. Lil lovingly raised him thereafter. Fred is survived by his wife of 68 years, Alice Rebecca Russell Owens whom he married on 28 August 1949 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue, MD; his daughters, Patricia Ann (Harold Lee) McCready of Ft. Washington, MD, Joan Bernadette Preslar of Mechanicsville, MD, Mary Alice Smith of King George, VA, Brenda Marie (Bill) Ticer of Port Tobacco, MD, and Pamela Christine Owens of North Beach, MD. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Karen McCready Cross, John McCready, Kim McCready, Lynn Espinoza Whipple, Thomas William Preslar, Rick Burrows, Jr., Jonathan Burrows, and Charity Burrows Beck; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Kay Hodges Owens; many nieces and nephews and very special friends Dave and Beverly Fry. Fred had to quit school in the sixth grade to help work on the family farm due to his father suffering a stroke. Fred and his brothers built “exercise” equipment according to his father’s specifications so their father could regain his strength and mobility. Fred worked for Washington Coal Company first delivering ice then delivering oil, and finally as an oil burner engineer. He later worked for Hessick Oil Company as an oil burner engineer. When he retired at age 81 he worked as a driver for Melwood Horticultural Center for the mentally challenged. Fred enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and visiting family. He was very handy. He was self-taught when doing woodworking projects. He loved planting and working his yearly garden. Fred and his wife Alice enjoyed having yearly summer gatherings at their home for family and friends. Fred was a devout Catholic with an unwavering faith in God. Fred was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He would offer assistance to anyone in need. In addition to his parents, Fred was pre-deceased by two grandchildren Tabitha Burrows Abrams and Patrick Ticer and his brothers and sisters: Charles William Owens, Madeline Elizabeth Owens Sickle, Marguerite Owens Dorn, John Melton (Bill) Owens, Paul Raymond Owens, Myrtle Frances Owens Russell, Agnes Rosalie Owens Russell, Evelyn Gertrude Owens Clopein, Joseph Harry (Jim) Owens, Anna Cecelia Owens Cramer; half-siblings, Julia Florence Owens Bodine and Julius Freeman Owens; step-siblings, Mary Janice Dunbar Cooper, Benjamin Franklin Dunbar, and James Baden Dunbar. Funeral services will be held in the Lee Funeral Home, 6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Road, Clinton, MD on Tuesday, 30 January 2018. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11 AM. Service will be 30 January 2018 from 11:00 AM to 12 PM by Father John. Christian Burial will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 3221 Mattawoman-Beantown Road, Waldorf, MD. Pallbearers will be John McCready, Thomas William Preslar, Rick Burrows, Jr., Jonathan Burrows, Mark Whipple, and Bobby Russell, III. The Owens family wishes to thank the Hospice of the Chesapeake for their care and support during this time. Memorial donations in Fred’s name may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake and/or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences to the family can be made at www.leefuneralhomes.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William F. Owens please visit our Sympathy Store.