CDR William Thomas "Tom" Owesney, USN (Ret.) 76, formerly of Florence, SC, died peacefully on April 5, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. 

He was born in Steubenville, Ohio on May 22, 1931 to the late Frederick G. and Ada George Owesney. 

He served 24 years in the U.S. Navy and retired with the rank of Commander. CDR Owesney completed undergraduate work in mechanical engineering at Ohio State University and held a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey California. 

As a Naval Aviator, he served in attack squadrons; as Assistant Program Manager for Aviation Systems for the USS Nimitz and the USS Eisenhower; and as a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida. He was a 1973 graduate of the College of Naval Warfare. He headed the Human Factors Engineering and Crew Station Design Branch of the Crew Systems Division of the Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters. 

Cdr. Owesney served in the Navy from 1952 to 1976 during which time he was awarded the following decorations: China Service; National Defense with Bronze Star; Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation; and the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal. 

Mr. Owesney is preceded in death by his parents and a son, Stephen K. Owesney. He is survived by a son, Thomas F. Owesney, (Lori), of McLean, Va.; a daughter -in- law, Jennifer Creany of Winchester, Va; and five grandchildren.