Bobby Gene Owsley (Bob), 91, passed away peacefully at home on October 13. He was born on October 12, 1932 in Rineyville, Kentucky, to Bryan and Virginia Vertrees Owsley. Bob remained in Hardin County his entire life, moving to Cecilia in 1958. Bob is survived by his daughters, Lou Ann Allen and Laura Owsley, both of Cecilia; his grandchildren, Matthew (Beth) Allen of Louisville, and Jenna (Jon) Colson of Cecilia; his great-grandchildren Jase, Lucy, Clay, Annelise and Lily; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Martha Jean Givan Owsley; his brother David Owsley; his sisters Betty Shipley, Sue Henderson, and Elizabeth Owsley (infant); his brothers- in-law Bill Chester, Walter Shipley, and Marion Henderson; his sisters-in-law Iva Lee Owsley and Mary Lou Givan Chester; his son-in-law Danny Allen, and his nephew Pat Owsley. Bob graduated from Rineyville High School in 1950, serving as the Senior Class President, a member of the basketball team, and president of Future Farmers of America. He was so proud to be a Rineyville Red Devil for 12 years and remained actively involved in the Rineyville Alumni Association. After high school, Bob enrolled at Western Kentucky University, however he came home because he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served at Fort Knox for two years as an Armor Instructor with the 3rd Armored Division. He married Martha Jean Givan Owsley on June 13, 1954, while he was still serving in the Army. When he finished his service, he enrolled at Bowling Green Business University to finish his degree in 1958. He began a lifelong career at The Cecilian Bank in September 1958, where he held every position from filing canceled checks to serving as the Chairman of the Board. He was still serving as Chairman at his death. Bob never met a stranger and could connect a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling to almost anyone he talked to. He was always available for his customers, many times after hours and on weekends. Many have called him Mr. Cecilian Bank, which seems fitting for someone who dedicated 65 years of his life to the same organization. He graduated from the LSU School of Banking of the South in 1968, taking his two weeks of vacation each summer for three years and completing homework during the year. In addition to his banking career, he served the community in many different organizations, including serving as president of Hardin County Chamber of Commerce, director of Hardin County Education Foundation, director of Heartland Community Foundation, member of the Patton Museum Board, and member of the WKU National Alumni Board. Bob was also a founding member of the Cecilia Ruritan Club. He received many accolades over the years, but he was especially proud of his induction into the North Hardin Athletic Hall of Fame as a Rineyville High School alumnus and the Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture award. Bob was a faithful member of Cecilia Baptist Church for 65 years, serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and nursery worker. He was well known for his love of knives and trains. Bob sold knives in the sixth grade that he and his friend Charles Shelton purchased at Belknap in Louisville. He used the money he made to purchase sheep. By the time he went to college, he had 200 sheep! He contacted the Illinois Central Railroad once they decided to stop using a caboose on the tracks to let them know he would gladly take one off their hands. Years later a caboose was delivered and remains by the Cecilia office of The Cecilian Bank. Bob loved his family, his church, The Cecilian Bank, and the community. He showed that love by serving others and attending as many activities as he could fit in his schedule. He especially loved attending school and church programs, birthday parties and ballgames that involved his grandkids and great-grandkids. Visitation will be held at Cecilia Baptist Church, 416 East Main Street in Cecilia on Friday, October 20 from 2 - 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 21 from 9 - 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held at Cecilia Baptist Church on Saturday, October 21 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Donnie Davis officiating. Burial will be at Elizabethtown Memorial Gardens immediately following the service. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Cecilia Baptist Church building fund (416 East Main Street, Cecilia, KY 42724).

Visitation:

Friday, October 20, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cecilia Baptist Church

Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Cecilia Baptist Church

Service:

Saturday, October 21, 2023 starting at 11:00 AM
Cecilia Baptist Church