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NYSAFC Mourns the Loss of Past President William Owen Jr.

Past Chief William K. Owen Jr. of the Stittville Fire Department (Oneida County) passed away on May 23, 2024. He led the association as president from 2008-2009.

Past Chief William K. Owen Jr. of the Stittville Fire Department (Oneida County) passed away on May 23, 2024. He served as NYSAFC president from 2008-2009.
 
Owen was a member of the Stittville Fire Department since 1954, serving as chief from 1968-1988, and was also a past fire commissioner for the Stittville Fire District. He was a deputy fire coordinator for Oneida County from 1986-2006. Owen also served as county haz-mat coordinator and was instrumental in the development of the county haz-mat team. He was also actively involved in the implementation of 911 in Oneida County. Owen previously served as a New York state fire instructor.
 
Owen served as president of the Oneida County Fire Chiefs Association in 1976 and was also a past secretary/treasurer. Additionally, he was a member of the Oneida County Firefighters Association, Central New York Firefighters Association, Oneida County Fire Advisory Board, and Firefighters Association of the State of New York.
 
A life member of NYSAFC, Owen joined the association in 1969. He served in various positions on the Annual Conference Committee from 1978-1998, including as chairman, and was elected to the board of directors in 1998.
 
 Bill's son, William Owen III, currently serves on the NYSAFC board of directors. Our sincere condolences to the Owen family. A full obituary is available here.

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