Obituary

Services for John William Owen of 757 West Drive will be held at 1 this afternoon at National Funeral Home, with the Rev. E. T. Smith and the Rev. W. C. Aden officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park. Mr. Owen was 56, and head of the J. W. Owen Contracting Co. He died at 9:35 Thursday night at St. Joseph Hospital.

Information From Death Certificate

Died at St. Joseph's Hospital. Occupation: contractor. Business: trucking company.

Additional Detailed News Article

JOHN WILLIAM OWEN, CONTRACTOR, IS DEAD

Services Are Tomorrow At 2--Motto: 'We Move The Earth'

BEGAN WITH ONE TRUCK

John William Owen, contractor here for 26 years, died at 9:35 last night at St. Joseph Hospital following a long illness. He was 56.

Services will be held at 2 tomorrow at National Funeral Home with the Rev. E. T. Smith and the Rev. W. C. Aden officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park.

Mr. Owen headed J. W. Owen, a company he built from one truck, which he drove himself, into a fleet that at one time numbered 150. His motto was, "We Move the Earth," and his men often boasted that they moved more dirt than anyone else in this area.

As a contractor, Mr. Owen was connected with practically all of the big building projects in Shelby County. His trucks were constantly roaring from the plant and shops at 1587 Chelsea. Many of the big buildings in Memphis are built over excavations and foundations for which Mr. Owen did the hauling. Among them is the Sterick Building.

Was Ill Three Years

Mr. Owen, an exceptionally strong man who could lift his 200-pound friends with ease, had been in ill health for about three years. His condition worsened in January and he entered the hospital May 4.

Born in Covington, Tenn., Mr. Owen came to Memphis as a young man. In later years, as his business prospered, he returned to Covington to buy vast farm holdings. He also owned real estate holidings in Memphis. His home was at 757 West Drive.

He was a veteran of Army service in World War I and a member of the American Legion, Tipton County Post No. 67. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner and member of Al Chymia Temple. He belonged to DeSoto Lodge No. 299, F. & A. M., and was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Survivors Listed

He leaves his wife, Mrs. Mary Feezor Owen; a son, John W. Owen Jr. of Memphis; his mother, Mrs. Burk Owen of Memphis; five brothers, Charles C. Owen and Clyde Owen of Covington, Edward Owen, Walter Owen and Claude Owen of Memphis, and five sisters, Mrs. Walter Sanders of Memphis, Mrs. Lollie Robinson and Mrs. Garl Byars of Covington, Mrs. Morris Glenn of Camden, Ark., and Mrs. Guy Carter of Monticello, Ark.