William Clyde Powell

William Clyde Powell VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander William Clyde Powell, 87, died Feb. 7, 2009, after a prolonged struggle with cancer. A native of Glen Alpine, N.C., he was born April 28, 1921, in Salisbury, N.C., to Margaret Alway Parker Powell and William Archie Powell. Lt. Cmdr. Powell served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 31 years. His career was marked by valiant service for his country during World War II at Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon and Fiji Islands, and following the war in Brazil, Cuba and Great Britain. He also served two tours of duty with the U.S. Navy while stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam, in the 1960s. He received government recognition for distinguished service to his country during his career with the U.S. Navy. Throughout his life, he loved His Creator's creations. As a result, he was an avid gardener and planter of trees. In addition, he welcomed into his life dogs and cats who sought a new and caring home in Virginia Beach where he lived for many years until his death. He is survived by his sister, Eleanor Powell; his daughter, Clydette Powell and his son William Arthur Powell; as well as two grandchildren, Casey Sue Ann West and William Arthur Powell Jr.; and one great-grandson, William Jeffrey Rae Young. He was predeceased by his sister, Gwendolyn Caroline Powell Hunter. He was formerly married to Maria Mello-Silva of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During his youth, he had been a member of the Glen Alpine United Methodist Church (Morganton, N.C.) and more recently attended Tabernacle Church of Norfolk. A service of celebration of his life will be held at Tabernacle Church, 7000 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23505, on March 7, 2009, at 2 p.m. Interment at Arlington Cemetery with full honors will follow May 13, 2009, at 9 a.m. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers a contribution in his honor can be made to one of the following: (1) Tabernacle Church of Norfolk for ODU International Student Ministries; (2) Auburn University Foundation for the CDRI "Help Raise a Hero" program for training puppies as detection dogs; or (3) Restoration Ministries DC to help at-risk trafficked youth.