William Dwight Owens “Billy”, age 71, of Fairbury, NE, passed peacefully to Heaven, surrounded by his children, at 12:27 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from esophageal cancer complications, at Bryan East hospital in Lincoln, NE. He was born November 5, 1952 in Beaver, OK to William B and VernaBelle (Barnett) Owens. Billy was a 1971 graduate from Tri County High School in rural DeWitt, Nebraska. He was a tough opponent in football and basketball. In 1975, he graduated from Southeast Community College, with an Applied Science degree in Welding and Metallurgy. He was a skilled welder and fabricator working in various locations. He loved to reuse and repurpose materials and was quite creative. In 1972, he married Victoria Zulauf, later divorced, and 3 children were born to this union. Billy truly lived life to the fullest and lived it on his own terms. He enjoyed rockhounding, playing marbles, going on long nature walks, fishing, and bird watching, all with his faithful dog, Dizzy, by his side. Billy had a great smile, a witty personality and a strong gentle presence that will be missed by all.

He is survived by two of his children, Shawn William Owens (fiance Ashley Jewell) of Lincoln, NE and Shelley Lynn (Bryce) Owens-Buggi of Palmyra, NE, his sister Diana Kay Owens of Beatrice, NE, six grandchildren Cade, Brayden and Ethan Owens, Apollo, Logann and Odyn Buggi.

He was preceded in death by daughter Shelby Lynn Owens in 1972, parents William B Owens in 2013 and VernaBelle (Barnett) Owens in 2014, brother Darrel Owens in 2020.

He has been cremated as per his request -“dust to dust”. His ashes will be spread and there will be no service.