Billie Lee Owen, 84, of Lebanon, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at Homewood Health Campus in Lebanon. He was born November 12, 1935 at home in Amo, Indiana, Hendricks County, the son of the late Howard Everett and Mildred Maxine (Montgomery) Owen.
He was a 1953 graduate from Arsenal Tech High School in Indianapolis and attended Ivy Tech College in Indianapolis for three years. In 1957 Billie served with the Atlantic Fleet in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1961.
On July 25, 1959, he was married to Roberta “Bobbie” (Dolloff) Owen in Wolcott, Connecticut. She survives and they had shared sixty loving years together.
Upon his return to Indiana in 1961, he was employed as a tool and die maker for thirty-one years with Detroit Diesel, Allison Division of General Motors in Speedway, retiring in 1992. During retirement, Billie worked many part-time jobs until he was in his 80s.
He was active raising and showing horses with his sons in 4-H. He and Bill Hubbard started the Boone County Horseman’s Association in 1974. To this day, the Boone County fairgrounds is home for many horse shows.
Billie was a member of the Masonic Lodge #9 of Lebanon. In the 1980s and 1990s, he and his wife enjoyed riding Goldwing Motorcycles and visiting National Parks. He had visited every state except for three and every Canadian Province except for three.
In addition to his love for horses and motorcycles, Billie was an avid coin collector. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Survivors include his wife, Roberta “Bobbie” Owen of Lebanon; son, Robert Howard (Ada) Owen of Chicago, Illinois; three grandsons, Timothy Lee (Shannah) Owen, Jr of Spring Hill, Florida, Robert Howard Owen, II of Columbia City, Indiana, and Kodi Marc Owen of Chicago, Illinois; two great grandchildren, Jacob Lee Owen and Iva Marie Owen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Billie was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Lee Owen; his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Jean and Lee Lay; and a nephew, Edward Lee Lay.
Visitation is planned from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, February 3, 2020, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street in Lebanon.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4 at the funeral home in Lebanon.
Interment with military rites will be held at a later date at Stilesville Cemetery in Stilesville, Indiana.
Memorials may be made to the Boone County 4-H Clubs, 1300 East 100 South, Lebanon, Indiana 46052.
