William E. Owings
William “Everett” Owings, 69, of Grain Valley, Missouri departed this world in the company of loved ones on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 14th at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley MO. Private services will follow. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in memory of Everett to Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute at: saintlukesgiving.org.
Everett was born on November 1st, 1951 to Henrietta and Woodrow Owings. Though his family moved a lot during his early years, they never ventured far from Kansas City’s East side. Everett graduated from East High School in 1969 and after a brief stint in the Air Force and a few other jobs, he began work at Central Bank in Kansas City. The suit and tie he had to wear for that job didn’t fit well with Everett and it was rare that you ever saw him in one after that. However, what did fit him well was a beautiful young lady he met while working there, the love of his life, Beverley. Ev and Bev met in 1973 and were wed less than a year later on April 6, 1974.
They welcomed their first son Matthew in 1978, followed quickly afterwards with another son, Nathan, in 1979. Their third son, Clifford, arrived in early 1982.
Everett purchased what came to be known as Royal Quality Foods at 24th and Cypress on the east side of Kansas City in the early 80’s.
Everett owned Royal Quality Foods for 35+ years until he sold it in 2015. Royal Foods was not big box grocery, but catered to the local community and Everett worked hard to provide for his family. He could be found there chatting up his vendors, sharing a cup of coffee with a neighborhood local, and generally providing his opinions (he had many) to those that asked and to many that didn’t. One could write a book about the things Everett saw and experienced at the store during his tenure there.
When Everett wasn’t working he was spending his time with his growing family and finding time to cut loose with his friends at the lake, the golf course or the race track. Many a fish was caught, many a story was told, and many a beer was drank when spending time with Ev.
He was never afraid to get his hands dirty and was a true do-it-yourselfer. It was a skill he learned in his youth and he made it a point to transfer that knowledge to the next generation. Everett was at his best acting as project manager for his sons during a concrete pour, a fence build, a floor install, a new roof, an RV renovation or an engine rebuild to name just a few. He always seemed to know how to fix/upgrade anything and he always had the right tool for the job on his workbench or stashed away in a milk crate in the basement. Most of all he equipped his sons with a strong work ethic and a can-do attitude that has served them well in their life and careers.
Everett didn’t do it alone though. He wouldn’t have been the man he was without Bev. They were married for 46 years and it is universally agreed that she was his better half. As a team they provided all that their family ever wanted and needed.
Bev and Ev’s family expanded with the addition of their beloved daughters-in-law, Stephanie (Matt), Meredith (Nate), and Ashlea (Cliff). Everett adored the women in his life and appreciated how they grew with and balanced out his son’s lives.
Most of all, Everett loved being Pa Pa to his grandsons. One trait that he passed to his three boys was the inability to have daughters. So, the Owings family name will remain strong in Eastern Jackson County with his 7 grandsons, Ethan, Evan, Parker, Clayton, Andrew, Carson and Charles. Everett loved his time with his grandsons. It didn’t matter if it was a baseball game, Sunday dinner, birthday party or holiday gathering, Everett was there enjoying the time with his family.
Everett was able to spend the brief time he had following his diagnosis at home with his friends and family. His family wishes to remember all of the great moments we shared with him over the years and not the past few weeks though we were fortunate to be able to say goodbye.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Henrietta; his beloved sister Kay Bishop; and two brothers, Glenn and Larry Owings.
He leaves behind his wife, Beverley of 46 years. His three sons and daughters in law, Matthew (Stephanie), Nathan (Meredith), and Clifford (Ashlea); seven grandsons, Ethan, Evan, Parker, Clayton, Andrew, Carson, Charles. He is also survived by one brother, Michael Owings of Newton, Massachusetts, as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441