Billy Lynn Owen August 5, 1937 ~ July 17, 2023 (age 85)

Memorial services for Billy Owen, 85, of Portales will be held at 2:00 PM, Sat., Aug. 19, 2023 at the Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Brad Morgan officiating.  Those desiring to make memorial contributions in Mr. Owen’s memory may send them to Gideons International, P.O. Box 1022, Portales, NM 88130.

Billy Lynn Owen was born Aug. 5, 1937 in Vernon, TX to the home of Lurine Imogene (Garrett) ad Wesley Wayne Owen, and died on the morning of July 17, 2023 in Portales, NM at the Good Life facility where he had been a resident since February.  In these few short months, he had become a staff favorite.  The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff for their attentive and loving care during this time.

Mr. Owen grew up in Grady, NM and later in Portales where he graduated in 1955.  His first job was with Schumpert Appliances. His next place of employment was with Bishop Printing Co., driving documents to Santa Fe.  On June 2, 1956, he was married to Hazel Mae Carroll.  Soon after their marriage, they moved to Albuquerque, where he worked as a Production Specialist for Mountain Bell Telephone.  After hours he made extra money as a welder repairing rock crushing equipment.  In 1966, he and his family returned to Portales, and he became the Manager for the Sweet Potato Association, a position he held until 1973.  At that time, he purchased Farmer’s Oil Service Station.  In addition, he bought a dairy in 1975, which his family operated for him.  In the mid 1970’s he began working at Borden Peanut Co. He held different managerial positions throughout his years at Borden’s.  For six of those years he served as General manager. Later he managed Williams Peanut Processing, followed by Portales Valley Mills, then Chock Full of Nuts, and finally Hampton Farms.  He retired the first time in 1999.

In 2000 he came out of retirement to build a peanut receiving point in Littlefield.  Then when he returned to Portales, he established the Organic Alliance.  In 2002, he established Owen Trucking Co.  Billy finally retired for good in 2021.

Besides all of his business ventures, Billy also found time to attend Eastern New Mexico University for a short time to learn to use a computer.  He was a deacon for the Calvary Baptist Church, a member of the Portales Masonic Lodge, was a regular in the coffee drinking gathering each morning at the Portales Hardware, served on the Roosevelt County Water Coop Board, played bass for several years with the Westerners Band, sold products for several different companies, and was an active member of Gideons International.  He also served in the New Mexico National Guard, and was deployed in 1980 to the Santa Fe Prison Riot.

Billy was very accomplished at everything he put his hand to.  It seemed he could virtually build anything.  He proved that by taking a big hand in the construction of the family home, as well as countless other projects.  As an employer, he was always fair, and was always willing to offer a second chance to a person.  He was characterized by mercy and grace.  Billy was an extremely gregarious man, and could visit with anyone.  You could talk to him about anything, and he was always accepting and non-judgmental.  Many people have related that they were won to Christ through his favorite saying – “You only have two choices – Heaven or Hell, “ and the conversation that would ensue.

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Billy Owen, Jr. and wife, Sheila and Jeff and Kayla Owen all of Portales; four daughters and a son-in-law, Debbie and Kerry Victor of Rogers, NM, Teresa Naggs of Albuquerque, Sandi Golden of Arch and Laura Owen of Portales; 22 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jim Owen of Wichita Falls, TX; and a sister, Dot Ray of Porter, OK; as well as nieces and nephews and other family members.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents, a brother, Bob Owen, a sister, Mildred Beason, a daughter, Bobbi Jo Mongar, a son-in-law, Mike Golden, two grandchildren, Allison Finley and Little Bill Naggs, and by his beloved wife Hazel who died Mar. 29, 2019 after nearly 63 years of marriage.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy Lynn Owen, please visit our floral store.