SWANSBORO  -  Wilbur "Will" Ray Owens, 84, of Swansboro, passed away Monday, October 14, 2024 at Premier Nursing and Rehab.  Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Seaside Memorial Park.

Mr. Owens was born June 27,1940 in Pitt County, NC, to the late C. D. and Lizzie Pearl Brown Owens.

He faithfully served his country in the US Navy and US Border Patrol and then began a career as an educator in the school systems of Arizona and North Carolina. He loved to see the light in the students' eyes when they understood what he was teaching.

in addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Melvin Owens, Dalton Owens, Grace Wilem, Shirley Cherry, and James Owens.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Evangeline "Vann" Banks Owens of the home; daughters, Katrina Leigh Owens Lueck (Jim) of Garner and Angela Michelle Owens Feingold of Henderson; son, Robert Christopher Owens (Millie) of Gilbert, AZ; grandchildren, Amanda Lueck, Heather Holman Womack, Ian Feingold, Braxton Owens, Banner Owens, Miaya Owens Hixon, Delanie Owens, and Emerson Owens; and five great-grandchildren.