Reverend William “Bill” Owens, 86, visionary ministry leader, educator, entrepreneur, and civil rights advocate, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, at his home in Fulshear, Texas, surrounded by family.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Rev. Owens began his professional life in education, earning a degree in Education and teaching elementary school in Memphis, Nashville, and Los Angeles. His entrepreneurial drive soon emerged, leading him to become the first African American used-car dealership owner in Memphis and later a management pioneer at Chevrolet’s Van Nuys assembly plant in Los Angeles. These experiences launched him into business and real estate before he ultimately answered a full-time call to ministry.
Rev. Owens later entered Oral Roberts University to study theology and counseling, where his leadership left a lasting imprint on the campus. He founded a nonprofit organization that dramatically expanded access and opportunity, increasing African American enrollment from 5% to 22.5% in four years and raising more than $2 million in scholarships for deserving inner-city youth.
In 2001, he returned to his Memphis roots to address persistent educational challenges. On May 14, 2004, he earned a Master of Education from Christian Brothers University and was inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education—affirming a lifelong commitment to academic excellence and the advancement of children.
In 2003, Rev. Owens founded the Coalition of African American Pastors, later known as the Coalition of Americans for Action and Principles (CAAP), a Christ-centered organization that became nationally recognized for its principled engagement in public life. A marcher alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Owens continued his legacy of faith-rooted advocacy by encouraging pastors and community leaders to engage cultural and policy issues with conviction and courage.
Under his leadership, CAAP played a significant role alongside other faith-based and civic organizations in major grassroots efforts addressing religious liberty, family integrity, women’s dignity and privacy, and freedom of conscience. These efforts included public opposition to bathroom ordinances in Houston and North Carolina, advocacy for pastors’ free-speech protections, engagement around legislation affecting faith and conscience, and participation in national conversations surrounding corporate and public-policy accountability.
A passionate and compelling speaker, Rev. Owens traveled extensively, consulting with political campaigns and mobilizing pastors nationwide around school choice, the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and the free expression of faith. His voice reached millions through appearances on Fox News, CNN, C-SPAN, and coverage in outlets such as The Drudge Report, Christian Post, Daily Caller, Huffington Post, Breitbart, U.S. News & World Report, and many others too numerous to count.
Rev. Owens was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte Thomas and Eddie Thomas, and by his siblings and close family members Robert Thomas, William Thomas, William R. Owens, Eddie Mae Young, Mattie B. Lloyd, Delois Lee, and Virginia Hudson.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Dr. Deborah De Sousa Owens; his children Karen Danage (Robert), Michael Owens, Michelle Morgan, William Gerald Owens, James Eric Owens (Lynette), Antwane Owens, David Owens, and Charisma Owens; his sister Lilian D. Hancock; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a vast spiritual family shaped by his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering faith.
Reverend William “Bill” Owens leaves behind a legacy of courage, conviction, and compassion—one rooted in service to God, commitment to truth, and love for future generations.
A viewing will be held in the Sanctuary of Union Chappel (8201 Harris Dr., Fulshear TX 77441) on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Burial will follow at Forest Park Southwest Cemetery (9040 FM 359, Richmond, TX 77406).
Thank you for visiting this memorial web page. Please sign the online guest book to let the family know you were here thinking of them.
Services
Visitation One
Wed. Dec. 17, 2025
11:00 am
Union Chappel - Fulshear
8201 Harris St.
Fulshear , TX 77441.
Funeral Service
Wed. Dec. 17, 2025
12:00 pm
Union Chappel - Fulshear
8201 Harris St.
Fulshear , TX 77441.
Interment
Wed. Dec. 17, 2025
2:00 pm
Forest Park Southwest Cemetery
9040 FM359
Richmond , TX 77406.
Union Chappel - Fulshear
Fulshear , TX 77441.
Union Chappel - Fulshear
Fulshear , TX 77441.
Interment
Wed. Dec. 17, 2025
2:00 pm
Forest Park Southwest Cemetery
9040 FM359
Richmond , TX 77406.
Forest Park Southwest Cemetery
Richmond , TX 77406.
Reverend William “Bill” Owens, 86, visionary ministry leader, educator, entrepreneur, and civil rights advocate, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, at his home in Fulshear, Texas, surrounded by family.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Rev. Owens began his professional life in education, earning a degree in Education and teaching elementary school in Memphis, Nashville, and Los Angeles. His entrepreneurial drive soon emerged, leading him to become the first African American used-car dealership owner in Memphis and later a management pioneer at Chevrolet’s Van Nuys assembly plant in Los Angeles. These experiences launched him into business and real estate before he ultimately answered a full-time call to ministry.
Rev. Owens later entered Oral Roberts University to study theology and counseling, where his leadership left a lasting imprint on the campus. He founded a nonprofit organization that dramatically expanded access and opportunity, increasing African American enrollment from 5% to 22.5% in four years and raising more than $2 million in scholarships for deserving inner-city youth.
In 2001, he returned to his Memphis roots to address persistent educational challenges. On May 14, 2004, he earned a Master of Education from Christian Brothers University and was inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education—affirming a lifelong commitment to academic excellence and the advancement of children.
In 2003, Rev. Owens founded the Coalition of African American Pastors, later known as the Coalition of Americans for Action and Principles (CAAP), a Christ-centered organization that became nationally recognized for its principled engagement in public life. A marcher alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Owens continued his legacy of faith-rooted advocacy by encouraging pastors and community leaders to engage cultural and policy issues with conviction and courage.
Under his leadership, CAAP played a significant role alongside other faith-based and civic organizations in major grassroots efforts addressing religious liberty, family integrity, women’s dignity and privacy, and freedom of conscience. These efforts included public opposition to bathroom ordinances in Houston and North Carolina, advocacy for pastors’ free-speech protections, engagement around legislation affecting faith and conscience, and participation in national conversations surrounding corporate and public-policy accountability.
A passionate and compelling speaker, Rev. Owens traveled extensively, consulting with political campaigns and mobilizing pastors nationwide around school choice, the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and the free expression of faith. His voice reached millions through appearances on Fox News, CNN, C-SPAN, and coverage in outlets such as The Drudge Report, Christian Post, Daily Caller, Huffington Post, Breitbart, U.S. News & World Report, and many others too numerous to count.
Rev. Owens was preceded in death by his parents, Charlotte Thomas and Eddie Thomas, and by his siblings and close family members Robert Thomas, William Thomas, William R. Owens, Eddie Mae Young, Mattie B. Lloyd, Delois Lee, and Virginia Hudson.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 30 years, Dr. Deborah De Sousa Owens; his children Karen Danage (Robert), Michael Owens, Michelle Morgan, William Gerald Owens, James Eric Owens (Lynette), Antwane Owens, David Owens, and Charisma Owens; his sister Lilian D. Hancock; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and a vast spiritual family shaped by his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering faith.
Reverend William “Bill” Owens leaves behind a legacy of courage, conviction, and compassion—one rooted in service to God, commitment to truth, and love for future generations.
A viewing will be held in the Sanctuary of Union Chappel (8201 Harris Dr., Fulshear TX 77441) on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. Burial will follow at Forest Park Southwest Cemetery (9040 FM 359, Richmond, TX 77406).
Thank you for visiting this memorial web page. Please sign the online guest book to let the family know you were here thinking of them.
Guest Book