William Edwin Owen

William Edwin Owen, 70, of Rochester, who made a difference in the lives of many, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, December 06, 2012. Bill was born January 15, 1942 in Louisville, KY to Stanley Hume Owen and Anna Catherine (Gilkey) Owen. He attended St. Thomas More Elementary and graduated from De Sales High School both in Louisville, KY. Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1965 from Bellarmine College in Louisville, KY. On June 6, 1964, Bill married Lucille Murphy in Roxbury, MA. Bill and Lucille lived in Louisville from 1964 until they moved to Rochester in the Spring of 1976. Bill worked as a high school teacher at De Sales High School and Presentation Academy, both in Louisville, KY, a Systems Engineer at IBM in Rochester and Louisville, retiring after 30 years; OTR Truck Driver and Safety Instructor for Transport America, retiring after 5 years and as a Technology Consultant for Professional Skaters Association of America, retiring in November of 2012 after 12 years. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, IBM Gun Club, Rochester Amateur Ham Radio Club, Indian Guides, Indian Princesses, Credit Committee at IBM Credit Union, IBM Club Officer and was involved with Rochester Youth Soccer. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Lucille; children and children-in-law, David Finian Owen and Anne Pappas-Owen of Rochester, Catherine Lucille (Owen) and Juan Cabanela of Moorhead, MN, Jeannine Marie (Owen) and Nathan Owen-Block of St. Cloud, MN, Suzanne Regene (Owen) and Jon Nordos of Big Lake, MN and William Edward Owen II of Minneapolis, MN. Bill is also survived by his mother, Anna Catherine Owen; grandchildren, Carmen Louise, Charles William and Benjamin James Owen-Block of St. Cloud, Zakari William and Carolina Rosa Cabanela of Moorhead, Colin Joseph Pappas Owen of Rochester, Felix Scott Hyde Owen of Minneapolis, Grace Lucille and Declan Jon Nordos of Big Lake; siblings and siblings-in-law, Tiffy (Owen) and Alfred Reynolds of Charlottesville, VA., Jeannie (Owen) and Serge Dery of Toledo, OH., Thomas and Donna (Britt) Owen of Colorado and Linda (Owen) Grady of Kokomo, IN. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Hume Owen and brother-in-law, Roger Grady. A Memorial Mass will be held 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church 5455 50th Ave. NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday, December 10, 2012 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester and one hour prior to the service at church. Celebrant will be Father Don Schmitz with a private interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to Holy Spirit Elementary School for the exclusive purpose of tuition scholarships. To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. (507) 289-3600