Biography
Representative Bill Owen, a Republican, represents Greene County (District 131) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his second two-year term in November 2020.
Owen spent 39 years in the banking industry, and previously served in the Missouri House from 1981 -82. He sponsored the Missouri Enterprise Zone Act in 1982, and he sponsored an increase of the cigarette tax for education.
Owen has a long history of working in his community and was named “Contributor of the Year” in 2019 by the North Springfield Betterment Association. He belongs to the First and Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Born in Springfield, Owen attended Parkview High School before Drury University for his undergraduate degree. He also has a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He continues to reside in Springfield with his wife, Carol. They have two children.
State representatives serve in their state's lower legislative chamber. Responsibilities include drafting and voting on state laws, representing their district's interests in the state capitol, serving on state committees, and shaping the state budget. State legislation covers areas like education, healthcare, transportation, criminal justice, and local taxation that directly affect residents' daily lives.