James William ‘Bill’ Owen, 89, of Wabash, died at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born April 6, 1925, in Gary, to Loren P. and Josephine E. (Barnett) Owen. Bill was a 1943 graduate of Wabash High School. He was a US Navy veteran, during WWII from 1943-1946, serving in the South Pacific, and was at Tokyo Bay when the Japanese signed their surrender. He married Joan Rettig in Wabash on Dec. 1, 1946; she also died March 11, 2015. Bill co-owned and operated Milliner Printing from 1946 until his retirement in 1987. He was a member of the Wabash Christian Church, Hanna Masonic Lodge, and the American Legion Post #15, all of Wabash. Bill enjoyed printing, woodworking, boating, traveling with his wife and he especially loved his family.

He is survived by three children: Jayne (Ron) Bailey, New Haven; Nancy Owen (Knight) Barton, Charleston, S.C.; and David (Jennifer) Owen, Wabash; nine grandchildren: Jena (Blake) Collinsworth, Westfield; Ben (Jen) Bailey, Lagro; Owen Barton, Maui, Hawaii; Thatcher Barton, Ithaca, N.Y.; Churie Owen, Wabash; Krofton (Sharon) Owen, Saint Petersburg, Fla.; D.J. (Breanna) Bennett, Norfolk, Va.; Courtney (Jared) Eakright, Wabash; Andrew (Natasha) Bennett, Dalton, Ga.; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; and his sister; Marilyn Gilliom.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, with Nancy Owen Barton officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery with Rev. Melinda Kammerer officiating. Friends may call 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Wabash American Legion Post #15.