Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Owens, William

Teacher; born Dublin, 1 November 1888; died Melbourne, 7 August 1963, aged 74.

William Owens, affectionately known as 'Gerry', was educated at Belvedere College, Dublin, and entered the Society at Tullamore College, 7 September 1905. He remained there for his juniorate, 1907-10, and prepared for his university exams at Milltown Park, 1910-11. He taught at Galway, 1911-12, before philosophy studies at Stonyhurst, 1912-14. He taught students for the public examinations at Xavier College, Melbourne, 1914-18, before theology studies at Kurseong, India, Milltown Park and St Beuno's, Wales, 1918-22. Tertianship followed at Tullamore, 1922-23.

Owens returned to Xavier College in 1923, and remained there teaching until his death in 1963. During these years he was also consultor, 1931-62, prefect of studies, 1934-41, in charge of senior debating, 1926-42, and worked with Old Xaverians. He was spiritual father and still teaching at the time of his death.

He was an institution at Xavier College, independent minded and a real individual. He was much appreciated as an eloquent teacher of modern history, Latin and Greek. He taught with great ease and distinction, treating his students as adults, and helping many to gain high honours and distinctions each year. He was a teacher whose great command of English, Greek and Latin inspired many boys to a love of learning, wide reading, and quiet discipline. He gave students the sense that secular interests could coexist happily with faith. His style of life, prayer and scholarship were inspiring.

He was a man of mature judgment, where he himself was not involved, and could be charming. He had a nervous disposition that caused ill health, and he was painfully reserved. He read widely and was an authority on the classics, English and French literature, and all modern political movements. He had many friends and was very loyal and generous to them. He always seemed to be on hand for direction and consultation.

In his early days at Xavier he was a keen tennis player and a good left-hand bowler. For over 50 years he was a first class golfer and played regularly at Kew, even taking a day off school every week to play. He was a good example of a healthy mind and a healthy body.

Though he looked very frail he really had a strong physique. He survived a serious heart attack some years before his death but recovered very quickly. He had a second heart attack two years before he died. Again he recovered quickly and was back at work, but this time he had to relinquish golf.

He was a popular retreat giver, and much in demand. For years he gave retreats in convents throughout Victoria.

He suffered a severe blow in 1926 when his younger brother Gerald left the Society. Gerald had just completed a biennium in moral theology and had been appointed to Werribee, but does not seem to have arrived. He went to the USA and married.

Owens died very suddenly. Though he had a very heavy cold, he took his morning class. In the evening he went to hospital and died there about an hour after.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)