William Octavius Owen (1859–1947) was a surveyor and civil engineer.[1] On August 11, 1898, William Owen organized the first ascent of Grand Teton which at 13,775 feet (4,199 m)) is the highest peak in the Teton Range, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.[2] Known by his nickname "Billy" even in adulthood due to his small stature, Owen served as the U.S. Mineral Surveyor for Wyoming and as U.S. Examiner of Surveys for the Department of the Interior until 1914.[3] Owen was also elected as Wyoming State Auditor and served four years (1895–1899).