Asheville Billy Emory Ownbey, 83, of 23 Sycamore Street, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 9, 2009. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he retired from the US Postal Service as a letter carrier following 29 years of service. Mr. Ownbey was very active at Beaverdam Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and served on numerous boards and committees. He was a veteran of the US Navy, and loved flowers and gardening. Mr. Ownbey was the son of the late L. Roy and Evelyn Penley Ownbey. He was also preceded in death by his son, Billy Lee Ownbey; sister, Thelma Ownbey, and brother, Elmer Ownbey. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Helen Sawyer Ownbey, of the home; daughter, Linda Large and husband Mike of Asheville; grandchildren: Angie Baker and husband John of Concord, Michele Carson and husband Jimmy of Weaverville, Michael Ownbey and wife Rachel of Longmont, CO, and Brandon, Christina, and Chloe Ownbey, all of Carrollton, TX; great-grandchildren: Avery and Austin Carson of Weaverville, and Devon Ownbey of Longmont, CO; sisters: Marjorie Nichols of Gastonia, Marie Cole of Asheville, Bernice Turner of Inman, SC, and Irma Gardner of Kansas City, MO; brother, Lawrence Ownbey of Hampton, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Tuesday at Beaverdam Baptist Church, with the Rev. Daniel Reese and Rev. Roy Rigdon officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 PM Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. Flowers are appreciated, or memorial donations may be made to Beaverdam Baptist Church, 399 Beaverdam Road, Asheville, NC 28804.
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