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William Thomas Ownes

July 6, 2006

Owens, William (Bill) Thomas

of Comox, BC passed away suddenly, age 55. Born January 24, 1951 in St. John, New Brunswick. Bill was a dedicated trade unionist and NDP supporter who not only talked about the labour movement, he lived the life. Bill worked tirelessly for the membership and the party. He started working in the logging side of the industry in 1972 and he has worked for the United Steel Workers Union Local 1-2171 since November 1987. Bill enjoyed powerlifting as a hobbie and had trained as an amateur powerlifter and had won first for his weight class in the Provincial Championships (1991). His childhood idol was Doug Hepburn (considered to be the strongest man in the world). He had been doing the Doug Hepburn strength training program for the last four years. Bill admired his strength and what he had overcome to be considered the strongest man in the world in the 1950’s. His loving family will dearly miss Bill: son William Gregory Owens (Laura), daughter Anna Owens (Kevin). His family in St.. John, New Brunswick: mother Sarah Owens, sisters: Mary (Andre) Cushing, Ann Marie Saunders, June Catherine (Donald) Dory, Marilyn (William) Blakney, and several nieces and nephews. Pets: Kismit and Malcolm. Bill was predeceased by his father William Gregory George Owens, brother William Gregory Owens, Uncle Malcolm Reginald Owens and former wife Cheryl Anne Owens.


“Your smiling face we’ll always see,

You’re always in our memory.

Honest, kind and gentle,

So thoughtful in every way,

You are gone but not forgotten,

In our hearts you will always stay.”


A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, July 29th, 2006 at 11:00 am in Christ The King Catholic Church, Courtenay, BC, Father Paul Murphy celebrant.

Arrangements confidently assigned to Telford’s Mid-Island Memorial Services 1-866-503-5553.



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