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William Owens 02/15/2023

William Alan “Bill” Owens, age 79, of River Falls long time resident of Star Prairie passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the River Falls Area Hospital.  Bill was born on November 19, 1943 the son of Donald and Mary June (Harris) Owens in River Falls.  He graduated from River Falls High School and went on to serve his country in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.  Bill was stationed in Japan and received the Navy’s Good Conduct Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam).  Bill worked 30+ years for Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis, Arizona and Bozeman, MT.  He proudly served with the Civil Reserve Air Fleet from August 18, 1990 until March 13, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.  In retirement, he enjoyed horse back riding, 4 wheeling, hunting and fishing.  He also took annual trips to Montana and to Patriots Point in Charleston, SC to tour the Naval and Maritime Museum.  Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Don and Mary June Owens; sisters, Merry Nelson and Donna Wilcoxson.  He is survived by his siblings, Wilma Smith, Judy (Marvin) Nielsen, Joy (John) Reis, and Rita Griffey; as well as 17 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.  A visitation was held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 10:00am-12:00 noon at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services (805 E Division St.) River Falls followed by military honors provided by American Legion Post #121 of River Falls.  The interment was in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Spooner on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 11:00 am. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

4 Comments

  • Tom Osen Posted February 25, 2023 7:17 am

    While I have not seen you in years…I’ll miss you, “Cous”! God’s Peace be tou and your family be comforted through Christ!

  • Jayne Longsdorf Posted February 28, 2023 9:37 pm

    So sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers to your fa

  • Bruce Patterson Posted March 7, 2023 5:48 pm

    Bill was a good friend and co-worker at NWA. I will miss you Bill!

  • Valerie Mayer Posted April 14, 2023 2:48 pm

    If I can make people feel any where near as special as you did Uncle Bill, I will have lived a successful life. I feel like you roped the moon. I always felt so loved and cared for by you and with you. I felt like the most important person in the world. I could tell you anything or “just be present” with you. I will long treasure our times at the cabin, on the lake, in Arizona, how when my most prized possession at the time flew over the Hoover Dam. You had another on made at our next stop the London Bridge. You and Grandpa taught me to water ski and fish. You loved with your whole being and were the biggest kid I have ever met. Your shirt that says “I’m just a kid disguised as an Adult” sums it up well. I will miss your laugh, oh I loved your laugh. I will miss our campfire talks. It is an honor to call you uncle. will see you again someday in Heaven, and I will take the biggest hug when I get there. Love you so much Uncle Bill.

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