William W. Owens was born in Calloway Co., Kentucky in 1838.
William enrolled on December 29, 1861 in Jefferson City as a 2nd Lieutenant, then enlisted as a First Lieutenant on March 1, 1862 in Co. F, 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. When he enlisted, he had blue eyes, dark hair, a light complexion, he was 5 feet 8 and ¾ inches tall. He listed himself as a blacksmith. On May 21, 1862 he was transferred by promotion to Co. F. as Captain.
At the Battle of Lone Jack, he was wounded slightly in the thigh. He resigned on October 17,1862 by reason of disability.
On April 4, 1864, William was appointed Captain of Company K, 12th Missouri Cavalry by the Governor of Missouri to fill a vacancy. His commission dated at St. Louis March 9, 1864. He raised 3 companies for service with the 12th. He was declared incompetent and discharged from the service in June 1864 near Memphis, Tennessee. The officers of the 12th published a letter sincerely regretting Captain Owens’ dismissal.
On November 12, 1871, William married Eliza Painter.
On December 22, 1879 William filed for a pension showing both the 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry and the 12th Missouri Volunteer Cavalry.
On the 1880 census William lived in Jefferson Township, Scotland Co., Missouri with Eliza and four sons. William listed his occupation as a farmer.
No further information was located on William and no date of death or place of burial have been located.