Bill Ray Owens, 75, died with family by his side at home on August 7, 2026, at 1:11 p.m. in Nokomis.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 3 to 4 p.m. at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis. Funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation starting at 4 p.m. at Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home with Pastors Ryan Follis and Larry Pearse officiating. Following the service, Mr. Owens will be cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date. The family requests casual attire be worn for the services, camo or St. Louis Cardinals was Mr. Owens’ favorite.
Mr. Owens was born on June 17, 1951, in Pana, to Bernadine Owens Fulford and Charles E. Owens.
He graduated from Pana High School in the class of 1969. He served in the Illinois National Guard. He was a member of the Laborers Union and the First Baptist Church of Nokomis. He worked in road construction for 47 years for Borders Construction Company and Beniach Construction Company.
Mr. Owens was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed teaching his kids and grandkids to hunt, fish and play baseball. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed a good game of chess.
Mr. Owens is survived by his wife, Joyce, of 51 years; sons, Tim (Laura) Owens of Herrick, Joe Owens and Randy Owens, both of Nokomis; daughter, Jodi German and companion Scott Engelhart of Nokomis; grandchildren, Amanda Owens, Cody (Kendra) Owens, Trintin Owens, Kristin (Cody) Rutledge, Landon German and Levi German; great-grandchildren, Chase, Waylon, Karsen, Kasen, Kameren, Emersyn, Archie and Madeline; brothers, Danny Owens of Assumption and Chuck Owens of Chatham; sisters, Jackie Kay, Phyllis Rowden and Dixie Fox, all of Pana.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Debbie Harston, Beverly Hayes, Marilyn Bock, Shirley Ruot and Pat Lash; brothers, Gary Owens and David Owens; and great-grandson, Hunter Thevenot.
Memorials may be made to Quad County Hospice or Nokomis Athletic Club.
Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis is assisting the family with arrangements.
