Robert Owens Obituary

Robert "Bob" Owens

Oct 13, 1942 - Jan 2, 2023

Willard

Robert (Bob) William Owens, 80, passed away Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, leaving this Earth peacefully surrounded by his loved ones while holding hands with the love of his life, Alice.

Bob was born Oct. 13, 1942, 15 minutes after his identical twin brother, Bart, to Barton and Ruth (Gilmore) Owens. The doctor thought that Bob was the afterbirth. When Bob was in eighth grade, he met his match for the first time, Alice Kay Dawson. When she was getting off the school bus one day, Bob said that she was the girl he was going to marry. And he did. When they were 19 years old, they made the long drive to Michigan for an expedited wedding ceremony July 9, 1962. This was the first day of their 60 years of wedded bliss.

The following day he would leave for U.S. Navy, where he would serve for four years on the USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938). As part of the Navy Reserves, he served his country for a total of eight years. Being a truly service-minded individual, Bob carried on his call to duty by serving as a reserve officer for Willard Police Department. During his 30 years in the reserves, he would act as captain for 20 of those years as well as a councilman for the City of Willard for 20 years. He also was a dedicated employee to the local factory, RR Donnelley's, where he would retire from after 43 years.

Bob loved his family and had a special place in his heart for his daughter, Tami. The two would enjoy watching and playing multiple sports together including tennis and golf. The second loves of his life were the golf course, where he could be found six days a week, and The Ohio State Buckeyes. It was always a toss-up if you wanted to be at the Owens house on game days because if the Buckeyes won or lost would determine what kind of mood Bob would be in for the rest of the day. He was a passionate sports fan to say the least. How many police officers can say they were tossed out of a Willard Flashes basketball game while in uniform working security? Bob made an impression everywhere he went. His tender heart and boisterous laugh could put a smile on anyone's face.

He never knew a stranger and was the most popular grandpa at all his grandkids' sporting events. He supported the Willard Flashes any chance he got, whether that be at Friday night football games or as a season ticket holder for the basketball team. His grandchildren, Travis and Emily, and great-grandchildren, Kendyll and Jonah, whom he so lovingly referred to as "Ring-Rangs," had a No. 1 fan in their grandpa. Even their friends would call Bob grandpa and he was all too happy to have the title.

Bob lived a fulfilled life with his loving wife, Alice, by his side. Together, they traveled the world and managed to visit all 50 states as part of their adventures. Bob and Alice were faithful members of Church of the Master in Steuben, Ohio. A life like theirs can only be celebrated and remembered with the fondest of memories and stories. A life that anyone would be proud and lucky to live. He was loved by his community, friends, and family and his presence will be fondly remembered by us all.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Alice (Dawson) Owens; sister, Maggie Barnett; sister-in-law, Reva Mason; brother-in-law, Daryl Dawson; children, Tami Salyer and Robert Owens; grandchildren, Travis (Stephanie) Salyer and Emily (Ashlynd) Salyer; and great-grandchildren, Kendyll and Jonah Salyer.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Barton and Ruth (Gilmore) Owens; brothers, Bart and Joseph Owens; sisters, Barbara Shaver and Beverly Martin; brothers-in-law, Jerry Martin, Loyal Hopple, Eugene Mason, and J.H. Barnett; sisters-in-law, Peggy Owens, Carol Owens, Dolores Hopple, and Opal Shubert; and great-grandson, Adyn Salyer.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, and 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at Secor Funeral Home, Willard. Bob's funeral will be 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Dinner will follow at Church of the Master in Steuben, Ohio.

Donations in Bob's memory may be made to Willard Athletic Boosters. Online condolences can be made to Bob's family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com.