William Lionel Owens of Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center, Lauren's, SC, a retired Baptist pastor/teacher entered his Lord's rest on October 31, 2023.

He was born May 21, 1935, Ware County Georgia. He grew up in Brunswick, GA, and graduated from Glynn Academy class of 1954. He continued his education at Southern Technical Institute and Luther Rice College and Seminary.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Anne Gray Owens of forty-eight years, his parent's Harry W. Owens and Audrey Lee Riddle Owens of Brunswick, GA, also a great granddaughter Martha Dawkins Owens of Rock Hill, SC. He is survived by his son William L. Owens II (wife Kristy Dawkins Owens) of Longboat Key, FL, his grandson Charles Gray Owens (wife Ashley Moore Owens) of Rock Hill SC, his granddaughter Ashley Owens Sell (husband John David Sell) of Parkdale OR and four great grandchildren, He is also survived by four siblings.

He was a Baptist pastor, Bible teacher, and author. He pastored Southern Baptist Churches in five states from 1963-2005. Two pastorates bestowed upon him the honorary title "Pastor Emeritus." He led in founding Carolina College of Biblical Studies, Fayetteville, NC, and established a Biblical mentoring ministry based on II Timothy 2:2 (titled—The 222 Plan). He also authored five books based on biblical content. In his retirement, he taught a weekly Bible study at Rolling Green Village, Greenville, SC, and later at Martha Franks Retirement Center. Trained in industrial engineering, he converted to Christ from a life of self- centeredness and believed himself called by God to enter the pastoral ministry. He received two theological degrees including the Doctor of Theology (1970, Luther Rice Seminary). He held professional membership in the Evangelical Theological Society for approximately forty years.

A Memorial Service will be held at Martha Franks Retirement Center Chapel in Laurens, SC on Friday, Nov 3 at 2:30pm. A grave side service will be held at Palmetto Cemetery, Brunswick GA on Saturday, Nov 11 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Martha Franks Retirement Center 1 Martha Franks Dr. Laurens, SC 29360 or to Carolina College of Biblical Studies 817 S. McPherson Church Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28303.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home.

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