SEWARD —Billy G. Owen, 71, died July 3 at Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Wichita. He was born July 8, 1939 at Great Bend, the son of William and Alberta (McNett) Owen.

He married Barbara Ann Mendenhall June 1, 1958 at Great Bend. He was a tool-pusher for LD Drilling.

Mr. Owen was a Seward, Kansas resident for thirty-five years, coming from Great Bend. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and being with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid Kansas Jayhawks fan.

Survivors include his wife Barbara Ann Owen, of the home; one son Byron Owen and wife Anna of Sterling; three daughters, Balinda Ochs and husband Mark of Great Bend, Bridgette Weathers of Great Bend, Billie Doty and husband Doug of Great Bend; four brothers, Carrol Owen of Hoisington, George Owen and wife June of Astoria, Ore., Richard Owen and wife Clarese of Ogallah,Ken Hodges and wife Dixie of Concord, N.C.; two sisters, Betty Lipton and husband Noel of Atwood and Shirley Conrad and husband Pat of Atwood; seven granddaughters; eight great-grandchildren; five stepgrandsons; and three stepgranddaughters. He was preceded in death by two sisters.

The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday at Bryant Funeral Home. The officiant will be The Rev. Dick Ogle. Interment will be atGreat Bend Cemetery North. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Stafford Home Health or American Diabetes Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home*

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 6, 2011