Former Vietnam veteran Bill Owen dies - a life's work in Borger

Former Vietnam veteran Bill Owen dies - a life's work in Borger

William “Bill” Douglas Owen, Jr. passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the age of 77. Born on July 15, 1948 in Borger, Texas, Owen was a man with a full life filled with family, military service and professional commitment.

Owen grew up the son of William Douglas Owen, Sr. and Wanda Faye Harkins Owen. On May 7, 1971, he married Dorothy Green, to whom he was married for an impressive 54 years. Together they had two children: a son, Jason Owen, and a daughter, Erica Kimble, who survived him and their families.

Military service and career

Bill Owen served in the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War, where he operated a .50-caliber machine gun in his vehicle, which was named "Sir Charles." After his military career, he decided to become a respiratory therapist and worked as a department head at Pampa Memorial Hospital from 1973 to 1981.

His entrepreneurial flair led him to found Borger Oil Chem, which he ran successfully until 2024. In addition to his professional activities, Owen was an avid golfer and had an interest in firearms.

Family and legacy

William Owen is survived by his wife, Dorothy Owen, his son, Jason, and his wife, Cami, of Amarillo, and his daughter, Erica Kimble, and her husband, Justin, of Dallas. His grandchildren include Abbi Brock and her husband James, Charlotte Kimble and Benjamin Kimble, and his great-granddaughter Lennon Brock. He was predeceased by his father, William Douglas Owen, Sr., his mother, Wanda Faye Purvis, and her husband, McNeal.

Funeral services for Bill Owen will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 26, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Borger with Mr. Jake Minton officiating. Burial will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park, also under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors. In memory of Owen, those mourning may send donations in lieu of flowers to the Opportunities Center in Borger, Texas.

Context of the Vietnam War

Bill Owen's service in Vietnam reflects some of the history now documented in the National Archives. These archives contain a variety of text documents and electronic records relating to the Vietnam War. Important records are organized into various record groups, which provide important information about military operations and strategies, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and other military branches.

Closely tied to history, Bill Owen's story comes not only into the realm of personal narratives, but also into the broader context of the Vietnam War, which shaped the lives of millions of people. The National Archives contains documents that reveal national war strategies, the deployment of soldiers and the impact on society. These and other important documents are important for posterity and help preserve the legacy of an entire generation that served during this turbulent time.