William "Bill" Brooks Owens, Jr.

William (Bill) Brooks Owens, Jr, aged 83, of Hendersonville, died July 22, 2026, in Pardee Hospital, Hendersonville. He was a resident of Carolina Village.

Bill was born May 21, 1943, in Clinton, SC, the son of William Brooks Owens and Mary Ellen (Copeland) Owens.

He graduated from Clemson University in 1965 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. To celebrate, he ordered a 1966 Ford Mustang from the factory in Oxford White with a black top and, of course, air conditioning. He drove his beloved Mustang less frequently in his later years. Now it is waiting in the garage for his grandson. His first job was with DuPont in New Jersey, where he met his future wife of 56 years, Mary Ann Pukavich.

They married in 1967 and subsequently had a son, William Brooks Ill, and a daughter, Carolyn Marie.

In 1974, he moved to Hendersonville, NC, with his young family.

Until his retirement, he worked in Brevard, NC producing X-ray film for DuPont and the successive owners. Bill loved his family, friends, and neighbors. He enjoyed fixing things and was always tinkering with things around the house.

Bill never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone he met. Bill and Mary Ann enjoyed traveling with friends until their retirement.

Bill enjoyed flowers, yard work, and gardening and was a member of the National Chrysanthemum Society.

He was preceded in death by his son Billy and his wife Mary Ann.

Surviving are his daughter Carolyn (David Anderson, DVM), of Travelers Rest, SC, and two grandchildren, Patrick and Elizabeth, of Decatur, IL.

His beloved beagle named Bagel, will be loved and cared for by his daughter and son-in-law.

Bill and Bagel were a fixture around Carolina Village for the past five years, and will be missed by its residents.

Memorials may be sent to Pinecrest Presbyterian Church, 1790 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

Graveside Services will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Clinton with Rev. Wayne Morgan officiating.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.grayfuneralhome.com

Gray Funeral Home of Clinton is assisting the Owens family with arrangements.