William POWERS

1952 - 2024

POWERS, William "Billy" Passed, ironically, on the same day his father died in 1976, on April 12, 2024. A Charlestown native, Billy was born on February 15,1952, the fifth child in less than six years to Celia Mullin Powers and Robert Edward Powers. This was not uncommon in the postwar years in Boston and Billy joined his three older sisters, Sheila, Carole and Robin and older brother, Tommy in a crowded loving household. There would eventually be ten children in this big tumultuous family. Billy soon became known as the mischievous one - chasing firetrucks, straddling bridges, always in some sort of trouble. At Sheila's eighth grade, St. Francis de Sales graduation ceremony, Billy was in every picture. His mother, Celia, would not let him out of her sight, for the night before Billy and friends tried to burn down the school. Accidentally, of course.

Billy always had an entrepreneurial streak. From the age of eight he had a paper route to which he was dedicated. He arose at five each morning to deliver the Boston Globe no matter the weather. Billy was devoted to his customers and did not ever want to disappoint them. Dogs often followed him on his route and one day a mutt trailed home after him. He named her Sandra Helen and she became a member of the family, faithful and loyal to Billy, accompanying him every day as he delivered his papers. Despite an amazingly high IQ, Billy opted not to go to college and graduated from Boston Technical High school, where he studied carpentry. He pursued a career in the construction industry and was exceedingly successful. Billy was one of an elite crew who were enlisted to build schools in Saudi Arabia. At that time, Saudi Arabia was a "dry" country. Billy, being Billy, tried to make some applejack and ended up blowing up the locker room!

Billy developed Lung Cancer several years ago. Brothers, Bobby and Paul, provided him with exemplary care, taking Billy to MD appointments, doing his laundry, bringing him his daily paper and supplying him with delicious lunches. Sister Susan regularly visited and each Friday brought Billy a weekly treat of Fish and Chips. Billy leaves to mourn his passing his siblings and their spouses, Sheila and Ed O'Neil of Florida, Carole Powers of South Carolina, Robin and Tomo Miyaguchi of France, Susan Powers of Winthrop, Ann and Joe Gannon of Florida, Robert Powers of Charlestown, Paul Powers of Charlestown and Denise and Andy Balfour of South Carolina. Parents, Robert and Celia, predeceased him; as did his beloved older brother, Thomas. Billy lived with Tommy for awhile and he developed a loving relationship with Tommy's family. Tommy's widow, Maria Powers, and his nephews, Kyle and Kevin Powers, who affectionately referred to Billy as Uncle Wogie, also mourn his death. Although Billy never married, he was a loving uncle who doted on his many nieces and nephews. He was always extremely generous to them, not only on birthdays and at Christmas, but on any occasion or need that arose. He touted their achievements to all.

They will miss Uncle Billy dearly.

A Celebration of Billy's Life will take place Friday, July 19, at the Knights of Columbus, 545 Medford Street, Charlestown, between the hours of 3 to 7 PM. Please join Billy's family to share your memories and reminisce about our much loved brother.