William Rufus Owen, age of 81, passed away peacefully under the care of Haywood Hospice, Waynesville, NC on Friday, November 6th, 2020.

A native of Transylvania County, he was the son of Obed and Ora Faye McCall Owen of Balsam Grove.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Luella Owen, and his beautiful daughter, Beverly Owen.

William is survived by his daughter Janice Stevenson and her husband, Eddie, of Waynesville, as well as his son Troy Owen of Brevard, his step-daughter Vicky Shelton of Hiawassee, GA, his two sisters Helen Aiken (Paul) of Charlotte and Nancy Anders (Mitchell) of Balsam Grove, his three brothers Marion Owen (Lucy) of Kentucky and Joseph Mack Owen (Gladys) and Ted Owen (Diane) of Brevard, his three grandchildren Derek Owen and Brian and Tara Stevenson of Waynesville, and lastly, his precious great-grandchildren Zavith and Zaiden Owen of Waynesville.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, 2020, at Shoal Creek Baptist Church in Balsam Grove in Transylvania County.  A private service for the family will be held on Tuesday, November 17th, 2020.

The care of Mr. Owen has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.