Billy Joe Owens

Billy Joe Owens, 83, of Havre, passed away on Friday, March 21, 2014, at Northern Montana Hospital of complications from surgery for a broken hip. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on today, March 24, 2014, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Dan Whitaker officiating.  Interment will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in Highland Cemetery in Glasgow. The family has requested that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Unit at the Northern Montana Care Center in Havre.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Billy was born on Jan. 22, 1931, in Salt Gap, Texas, to Thomas and Josephine (Wartenbach) Owens, one of thirteen children.  He served in the Texas National Guard. Billy married Shirley Burk in Ballinger, Texas, on Aug. 6, 1955, and two sons, Mikey and Ricky, were born to this marriage.  The couple later divorced.  Billy moved to Havre in 1972 to work with his brother Damon in the oil and gas field as a truck driver for Ellenberg Exploration.He met Ruby (Crause) Sergent in Malta, Mont., and they were united in marriage on February 11, 1977, in Ballinger, Texas, adding Ruby’s six children to the family. They were married for almost 36 years until Ruby passed away on Feb. 8, 2013.  Billy enjoyed gardening and barbequing.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Josephine Owens; his wife, Ruby; his brothers Henry, Clint, Milton, Alton, Tommy, Irvin, Damon, Charles and Guy; and his sisters Ida Carlson and Hilda Bradly.

He is survived by one brother Jerry Owens of Tahuka, Texas; two sons, Mikey Owens and Ricky Owens of Arizona; his step-children. Robert (Connie) Holmes of Rogue River, Oregon, David (Diane) Sergent of Glasgow, Mont., Carol (Bill) Dixon of Anaconda, Mont., Jerry (Noreen) Sergent of Williston, N.D., Betty (Curtiss) Frizzell of Arp, Texas, and Gloria Kountz (Joe Yeoman) of Glasgow, Mont .; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.