Reverend William (Bill) Owens is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and a graduate of Tennessee State University, where he received a degree in Education. After teaching at elementary schools in Memphis and Nashville, he moved to Los Angeles to continue his career. Soon, however, his relentless drive and entrepreneurial skills led him to leave the classroom behind and enter the ministry and business fields. However, he never abandoned his commitment to education and the need to foster achievement in our children.
Reverend Owens has always been a pioneer. His early days in business were marked by “firsts.” (He was the first African American to own a used car dealership in Memphis as well as the first to hold a management position at Chevrolet’s Van Nuys assembly plant). That drive would become his trademark as he transitioned from business and real estate to the ministry.
It was soon after Owens entered Oral Roberts University (ORU) to study theology and counseling that he was called to help others. While at ORU, Owens began a nonprofit organization to help African American students gain admission to the school. His tireless commitment to helping young people increased the African American enrollment from 5 percent to 22.5 percent in four years. In addition, he raised more than two million dollars in scholarships for deserving inner city students.
In 2001, Reverend Owens decided that he wanted to return to his roots and give back to the community where he grew up. In an effort to understand the problems inherent in the educational system, he returned to college to earn a Master of Education. He received his degree from Christian Brothers University on May 14, 2004 and is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education.
In 2003, Owens founded the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP), an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting Christ-centered values. CAAP exploded onto the national stage during President Obama’s re-election campaign, when Reverend Owens excoriated the President for breaking his promises to the African American community with an about-face on same-sex marriage.
Referencing his early days in the Civil Rights Movement, when he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Owens famously said, “"I didn't march for same-sex marriage, not one inch, one yard, or one mile. Homosexuals have a choice, black people didn't."
Under the direction of Reverend Owens, CAAP became known for its fearless defense of family, marriage, and religious freedom. Throughout the fight over same-sex marriage, Reverend Owens traveled the country, warning that this was the beginning of a greater battle over faith and freedom of conscience.
In Houston and North Carolina, when the first efforts to introduce transgender “rights” took the form of bathroom ordinances, Reverend Owens defended the free speech of pastors targeted for their beliefs. Through CAAP, Rev. Owens organized grassroots efforts to defeat “bathroom bills” that would allow men to use the same facilities and women and girls. CAAP championed the passage of legislation to protect the dignity and privacy of women and launched a petition campaign in support of that principle. Among the first national organizations to boycott Target for its bathroom policy, CAAP even divested itself from Paypal in order to protest that company’s hypocritical stance on North Carolina’s HB2.
Reverend Owens believes it is vital that we stand up for faith, family, and marriage. He warns that freedom of conscience and religious liberty are under attack, and is calling upon African American pastors around the country to respond to this crisis.
Reverend Owens travels extensively speaking about his core values: choices in education, the sanctity of life, the protection of marriage, and the free expression of faith. He also serves as a consultant to many political campaigns, candidates and organizations.
He is married to Dr. Deborah De Sousa Owens who heads CAAP’s education department and CAAP’s Women’s Ministry. Rev. Owens has eight children and thirteen grandchildren.
Rev. Owens has been a guest on many national talk shows, including Fox’s Megyn Kelly, Neil Cavuto, Lou Dobbs, and CNN’s Carol Costello. In addition, he has been featured in numerous local and national publications. Below, please find just a few of the print and television stories that feature Rev. Owens.
Rev. Owens in the News
Drudge Report: Black pastors group launches anti-Obama campaign around gay marriage...
Huffington Post: NAACP Gay Marriage Position Draws Protest From Black Clergy Group
Fox News: African-American Reverend To Megyn Kelly: Obama Is Taking Black Vote For Granted
C-Span: Press Conference in opposition to same-sex marriage
Christian Post: Black Pastors Coalition: 'We're Going to Keep the Heat on Obama'
Daily Caller: Pastor: Black Christians should ‘withhold support’ for Obama over gay marriage
Washington Examiner: Black pastors target Obama
U.S. News: Black Pastors Reject Obama Over Gay Marriage Support
Breitbart: Christian Leaders Mobilize for Civil Disobedience Following Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
Black Pastors Slam Obama Admin’s Equivalence of Gender Identity Ideology with Black Civil Rights
Pro-Life, Pro-Family Wins on Election Day in Governor’s Offices and Bathrooms
Black Pastors Leader: Black Lives Matter Spews ‘Twisted View of Christianity’
Christian Today: Pastors’ group urges action to oppose court ruling on same-sex marriage
He leaves behind his loving wife, Dr. Deborah Owens, 8 children, including his two youngest David and Charisma Owens, 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the Union Chappel in Fulshear (8201 Harris St. Fulshear, TX 77441). Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the funeral will start at 12:00 noon. There will be a private family burial to follow.
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.
Union Chappel - Fulshear
Fulshear , TX 77441.
Union Chappel - Fulshear
Fulshear , TX 77441.
Reverend William (Bill) Owens is a native of Memphis, Tennessee and a graduate of Tennessee State University, where he received a degree in Education. After teaching at elementary schools in Memphis and Nashville, he moved to Los Angeles to continue his career. Soon, however, his relentless drive and entrepreneurial skills led him to leave the classroom behind and enter the ministry and business fields. However, he never abandoned his commitment to education and the need to foster achievement in our children.
Reverend Owens has always been a pioneer. His early days in business were marked by “firsts.” (He was the first African American to own a used car dealership in Memphis as well as the first to hold a management position at Chevrolet’s Van Nuys assembly plant). That drive would become his trademark as he transitioned from business and real estate to the ministry.
It was soon after Owens entered Oral Roberts University (ORU) to study theology and counseling that he was called to help others. While at ORU, Owens began a nonprofit organization to help African American students gain admission to the school. His tireless commitment to helping young people increased the African American enrollment from 5 percent to 22.5 percent in four years. In addition, he raised more than two million dollars in scholarships for deserving inner city students.
In 2001, Reverend Owens decided that he wanted to return to his roots and give back to the community where he grew up. In an effort to understand the problems inherent in the educational system, he returned to college to earn a Master of Education. He received his degree from Christian Brothers University on May 14, 2004 and is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education.
In 2003, Owens founded the Coalition of African American Pastors (CAAP), an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting Christ-centered values. CAAP exploded onto the national stage during President Obama’s re-election campaign, when Reverend Owens excoriated the President for breaking his promises to the African American community with an about-face on same-sex marriage.
Referencing his early days in the Civil Rights Movement, when he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Reverend Owens famously said, “"I didn't march for same-sex marriage, not one inch, one yard, or one mile. Homosexuals have a choice, black people didn't."
Under the direction of Reverend Owens, CAAP became known for its fearless defense of family, marriage, and religious freedom. Throughout the fight over same-sex marriage, Reverend Owens traveled the country, warning that this was the beginning of a greater battle over faith and freedom of conscience.
In Houston and North Carolina, when the first efforts to introduce transgender “rights” took the form of bathroom ordinances, Reverend Owens defended the free speech of pastors targeted for their beliefs. Through CAAP, Rev. Owens organized grassroots efforts to defeat “bathroom bills” that would allow men to use the same facilities and women and girls. CAAP championed the passage of legislation to protect the dignity and privacy of women and launched a petition campaign in support of that principle. Among the first national organizations to boycott Target for its bathroom policy, CAAP even divested itself from Paypal in order to protest that company’s hypocritical stance on North Carolina’s HB2.
Reverend Owens believes it is vital that we stand up for faith, family, and marriage. He warns that freedom of conscience and religious liberty are under attack, and is calling upon African American pastors around the country to respond to this crisis.
Reverend Owens travels extensively speaking about his core values: choices in education, the sanctity of life, the protection of marriage, and the free expression of faith. He also serves as a consultant to many political campaigns, candidates and organizations.
He is married to Dr. Deborah De Sousa Owens who heads CAAP’s education department and CAAP’s Women’s Ministry. Rev. Owens has eight children and thirteen grandchildren.
Rev. Owens has been a guest on many national talk shows, including Fox’s Megyn Kelly, Neil Cavuto, Lou Dobbs, and CNN’s Carol Costello. In addition, he has been featured in numerous local and national publications. Below, please find just a few of the print and television stories that feature Rev. Owens.
Rev. Owens in the News
Drudge Report: Black pastors group launches anti-Obama campaign around gay marriage...
Huffington Post: NAACP Gay Marriage Position Draws Protest From Black Clergy Group
Fox News: African-American Reverend To Megyn Kelly: Obama Is Taking Black Vote For Granted
C-Span: Press Conference in opposition to same-sex marriage
Christian Post: Black Pastors Coalition: 'We're Going to Keep the Heat on Obama'
Daily Caller: Pastor: Black Christians should ‘withhold support’ for Obama over gay marriage
Washington Examiner: Black pastors target Obama
U.S. News: Black Pastors Reject Obama Over Gay Marriage Support
Breitbart: Christian Leaders Mobilize for Civil Disobedience Following Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
Black Pastors Slam Obama Admin’s Equivalence of Gender Identity Ideology with Black Civil Rights
Pro-Life, Pro-Family Wins on Election Day in Governor’s Offices and Bathrooms
Black Pastors Leader: Black Lives Matter Spews ‘Twisted View of Christianity’
Christian Today: Pastors’ group urges action to oppose court ruling on same-sex marriage
He leaves behind his loving wife, Dr. Deborah Owens, 8 children, including his two youngest David and Charisma Owens, 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the Union Chappel in Fulshear (8201 Harris St. Fulshear, TX 77441). Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the funeral will start at 12:00 noon. There will be a private family burial to follow.
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