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Darrell "Shifty" Powers
Darrell "Shifty" Powers
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Darrell Powers Obituary
He was a charter member of Clinchco Missionary Baptist Church. Shifty was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 101st Airborne, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was a member of the famed Easy Company whose exploits received worldwide recognition in "Band of Brothers," a book by historian Stephen Ambrose, and miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg. Shifty dropped behind enemy lines in Normanday on D-Day. He also participated in all of Easy Company's battles including Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge, and the capture of Hitler's Eagles Nest.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Barnum and Audrey Colley Powers; brothers, James, Barnum and Frank Powers; and a great-grandson Gavin Johnson.
Survivors include his loving wife of sixty years, Dorothy; son, Wayne (Sandy) Powers of Clinchco, Va., daughter, Margo (Seldon) Johnson of Bristol, Va., sister, Gaynell (Clair) Sykes of Roanoke,Va.; sisters-in-law, Ann Powers of Clintwood Va., Betty Powers of Greenville, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Clay (Kayla) Powers, Dove Powers, Jake (Dawnyale) Johnson and Luke (Amanda) Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Caden Powers and Cooper Powers; several nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and special family friends the Robinettes, Carol, David and Tammy and Suzanne Axtell.
Pallbearers will be Jake Johnson, Luke Johnson, Clay Powers, David Robinette, Johnny Sykes, Mike Strouth and John Wesley Hawkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Sutherland, Claire Sykes, Tim Thomas, Wayne "Pappy" McCowan, Shang-Hi Nichols and Mickey Taylor.
The family will receive friends on Friday June 19, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., followed with a song service at 7:30 in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, Clintwood Va. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday June 20, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Randy Moore officiating. Graveside services with Military Honors will be conducted by Francis Marion VFW post 4667 at Temple Hill Cemetery.
Online email condolences may be made at [email protected].
Mullins Funeral Home and staff are serving the Powers Family.
This obituary was originally published in the Bristol Herald Courier.
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Drew Jimenez
February 27, 2020
R.I.P. Sargeant Powers. Thank you for being a soldiers Soldier and standing against tyranny. You will never be forgotten.
October 27, 2015
Family & Friends ojf Darrell Powers,
So sorry to hear about Darrell's passing ( I just found out). You are in my thoughts & prayers. God Bless, Renee Roberts ( the "vision lady").
Oneida Jenkins
October 5, 2013
God bless you Mr. Powers, I did not know you personally, but your story has reached my heart! Thank you for your service, and may you rest in peace, you are part of the greatest generations ever!
Winter Powers
September 15, 2013
My we never forget the sacrafices that men like Darrell and their familys made. God Bless you Darrell and God Bless America....Winter Powers
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Monica Essick
February 13, 2013
To the family of Shifty Powers; I am honored to have learned about Shifty's service to our country. He is a true hero. I am deeply thankful to him, and his comrades for saving our country and our American way of life.
Dean
February 11, 2013
Thank you shifty.
Susie Duckworth
February 4, 2013
To the family of Darrell Powers-my profound thanks & gratitude for his heroic service in WWII. Courageous Americans like him, and my father (US Navy, Pacific)-and all the others who served-literally saved the world. We will never forget.
Tammy Tiller
January 27, 2013
Darrrel, You are A Real American Hero. Thanks for the many sacrifices You and your family have made for mine. I wish I had met you in person to say my Thanks and shake your hand.
Kim Moredich
January 25, 2013
God's blessings to you "Shifty". Thank you for your service and to all who served with you. You are a true American Hero.
Roberto Texidor
January 16, 2013
Mr. Powers and family. Thank you for your courageous service. A true hero of the "Greatest Generation".
January 12, 2013
You were a hero. Thank you and Easy Company for your service and bravery. You will never be forgotten.
BOB ANNONY MOOSE
January 11, 2013
Thank you for your service Sarge, I am not to many years behind you, and am a TRUE HERO WORSHIPPER, some have called me hero, NOT! Just a sailor doing his job..."FOSDICK" E5 S/T ONE CORONADO!!! OOYAH!!! LEST WE FORGET
Matt Harrison
January 9, 2013
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
May you, and all your gallant comrades, rest in eternal peace.
J Pfleegor
January 7, 2013
It would have been an honor to have met you Mr. Powers. Enjoy your lengthy eternal stay in the company of our Savior.
becky newell
November 12, 2012
Thank you family for allowing Easy Company your husband, father, and grandfather time in the service to make our world safer. I will always remember the men that made that happen.
October 8, 2012
A hero. Thank you. You will be remembered.
Jacques Pelletier
May 1, 2012
Those men had it harder than we in this day can ever imagine, guaranteed our freedom. For that we owe them a debt we can not yet realize. God receive them as true Warriors in His Service. Catch up with you later, Shifty.
Dottie Sproles
January 26, 2012
Mr.Powers was a hero in my eyes as well as everyone that fought with his company. I can never say enough thank yous for all his sacrifices during the war. When duty called he never wavered. Thank God for men like Staff Sgt. Shifty Powers and for all that gave the supreme sacrifice that I may live in a country of liberty and freedom. Freedom isn't free and we should never forget that. God Bless America and All The Good Things It Stands For. May his family except my deepest condolences upon the loose of a great man.
Jesus Godinez
January 25, 2012
Truly a hero and a great loss as one of the Greatest Generation of America. I echo the sentiments that the story of SSgt Powers should be taught in every history class across the land.
SMSgt Jesus Godinez, USAF (ret)
Chris Slone
April 27, 2011
Love, admiration and respect. A true hero to all Americans, and a personal role model.
Joe Daly
March 29, 2011
SSG Darrell Powers, E Co, 2/506 passed away June 17, 2009. He was a true American hero. Not sure why his demise is resurfacing but he was the real deal.
Bob Thomas
March 26, 2011
Thank you for your quite strength & valor & for understanding that the person on the other end of your gun could have been your friend in a different time & place...RIP
Karen Young
March 12, 2011
Thank you for your service. You are one of America's true heroes. Your lack of recognition during your later years is sad. Your sacrifices for our country should be taught in every American History Class.
Anthony DiGioia
March 9, 2011
I wish I could have known you personally. The comments you made in one of the last episodes of HBO's Band of Brothers about how at another time you and a German soldier could have been friends touched my heart. My world is a better place because of the contributions and sacrifice you and millions of others like you made. For this, I thank you. I am not a praying man, but I will think of you and your family often.
Ed Levine
March 7, 2011
I was a pilot with one of the Troop Carrier Squadrons. in the ETO. All of the members of the Airborne PIR were my personal Heros! I have informatiion that SSgt Powers passed away in 2009!
David Moore
March 2, 2011
Thank you Mr. Powers for your service and sacrifice. My prayers are with you also Mrs. Dorothy Powers and your family in this time of sorrow.
Barbara Rolek
February 28, 2011
Thank you, Staff Sergeant Darrell Powers. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Paul Dakin
January 29, 2011
Thank you greatly sir, we deeply appreciate your service and life.
Randy Cline
January 21, 2011
Thank you Mr. Powers for serving this country! Thank you to the family as well. You have sacrificed right there with him. I'm sure God has a great plan for Shifty!
Thank you again, God Bless you all,
January 17, 2011
A man's man
December 29, 2010
Thanks for being there for all of us .
jim bowie
December 29, 2010
Thanks for being there for all of us .
Spencer Wildman
December 23, 2010
Thank you "Shifty for all you did in service to this country.
John Cardillo SR
December 19, 2010
Rest in Peace and thank you for your service.
mike hale
December 5, 2010
It's great that America has true unsung heroes. Shifty is one those!! A great American!
Semper Fi
kerry phipps
December 4, 2010
thanks shifty, you are now resting in peace.i have read your stories about you and your life. you were a great man.
Anna Smith
November 18, 2010
thank you for what you did we will never for get you "shifty."
Michelle Turner
September 14, 2010
May god bless the family of this remarkable man. You are left here with only pictures and memories. However take comfort in knowing that "Shifty" truly changed the world. God bless!
Rita Carbone
July 14, 2010
Date: July 15, 2010 Name: Rita M. Carbone My condolences while a year late are heartfelt and sincere. I found a photo of Darrell "Shifty" online, but did not know his story other than he was in WWII & passed away 6-17-09. I am an artist,doing pastel portraiture & have just today completed a portrait of "Shifty"... His story continues to amaze me & it would be wonderful to know you and send you this original pastel portrait that I have done. Contact me via email: [email protected] I am in The Villages, Florida about 50 miles north of Orlando. I hope this message gets to you. Fondly, Rita Carbone
charles elliott
July 9, 2010
rest in peace brother. US army 62-65
June 20, 2010
RIP. You are a true hero.
evans mark richard
May 30, 2010
you now go to join your freinds you lost on the battle fields all those years ago , your nation owes you and thoses men , a unpayable debt of gratitude , the whole world owes you and all the fallen ,this debt as long as there are men like you we we never fall into the darkness that nazi germany cast across the world , god bless you and your family, or as the film said this is why we fight as it depicted the horrors of the death camps , there need be nothing more said rest in peace with all your freinds
Jim
February 26, 2010
Shifty,
I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you. All I can say is thankyou for the freedom that I & my children enjoy. That all the hero's like you that have made it possible for us to live free & proud in the USA!!!
Dave Reed
February 23, 2010
Thanks for your courage, dedication & service Sgt. You surely are being rewarded in a better place.
Jay Witosky
February 17, 2010
Thank you for fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.
TERRY KILGORE
February 16, 2010
RIP SGT. YOU HAVE EARNED IT. A REAL HERO THAT GAVE IT ALL .
Carol Onder
January 27, 2010
Thank you for the freedom I enjoy each and every day. I appreciate you for all you have done for America and the world. God bless you always,
Carol Onder Gone but never forgotten.
Mark Gonzales
January 9, 2010
Thank you.
Scott
December 27, 2009
Mr Powers was a hero. It was men like him who were willing to put their life on the line for my freedom. Rest in peace Mr. Powers
Rick
December 20, 2009
Shifty.
Thanks.
Rest in Peace Soldier.
Robert Cubbage
November 28, 2009
That I did not know Darrell (Shifty) Powers is not important. What I do know of him is that he stood tall. He did all that was asked of him and then went the extra mile with no hesitation. A humble man who led a humble life. A hero to all but himself. Ssgt Cubbage Mo. Disabled Vet
Wood
November 27, 2009
Thank you for your service it will never be forgotten. Rest in peace warrior.
H Lira
November 21, 2009
It’s always the humble who stand tallest among us. It’s always the honorable who show us the way. It’s always the brave we respect for their courage. We call such men father, grandfather, uncle and brother. We call such men Shifty.
H Stowell
November 19, 2009
A true American hero and may he rest in peace.
Todd Gee
November 13, 2009
Mission accomplished. Well done Shifty! Thank you. God Bless.
Michael
November 13, 2009
Thank you Sir.
Greg Boggs
November 12, 2009
God Bless you shifty and Thank You for your outstanding service to our country and the world when we needed it the most!
Glenn & Linda Harless
November 11, 2009
I need not say more,our brothers and sisters have expressed our love and appreciation for you and your family.Thanks again,Glenn
Dana Burd
November 10, 2009
I cannot thank your loved one enough for all he did for this wonderful country. I have seen Band of Brothers countless times from beginning to end. I served in the Army myself for a short period in the early 90's and I have such pride and admiration for all of the service men and women during peace time and war, but I have an even greater respect and pride for the WWII vets. May God bless you, Shifty's family and friends, and know that he had a great many number of admirers. Although I did not know him, it saddens me to learn of his passing. God bless.
russ humphrey
November 6, 2009
god bless you shifty. I hope your last
jump was a soft ,slow one. Thank you for your service.
LAWRENCE QUIRK
November 3, 2009
TO THE FAMILY SSG.POWERS,WE ARE THE SONS OF A WWII VETERAN WHO SURVIVED 5 AMPHIBIOUS LANDINGS.PLEASE ACCEPT OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES.
BOB,BILL,JIM AND LARRY QUIRK
October 31, 2009
Thanks for all your sacrifices!!!
Gary Klett
October 27, 2009
Thank you for all you did and all the soldiers of all wars who served the United states of America in a time of war. You never realize the commitment, sacrifice, discipline and honor you and everyone, who served our country in War Time.
I watched every episode of Band of Brothers and the movie "Saving Private Ryan". That's when my eyes and heart where filled with tears and sorrow on how real the sacrifice was for all men and women in the Armed Services.
The real appreciation and respect I have for the freedoms, we all enjoy as citizens of the United states of America.
Thank you "Shifty" and all the men from the Band of Brothers
Jennifer Travis
October 24, 2009
Thanks for all that you did. May peace be with you and your family.
Ron Martin
October 23, 2009
Thank you "Shifty" God bless you and your family
October 21, 2009
Dear Powers Family,
May the great service Shifty gave to his Country and fellow man forever be held in high honor as it should be. America, and the World owe him that at a minimum. Shifty and his "Brothers and Sisters in Service" are the greatest souls to inhabit our planet, and I for one, along with my family, honor him and them!
God speed Shifty, and thank you!
Respectfully,
David La Rue and Family
Steve McDanald
October 14, 2009
Thank you for your service! I wish I could have shaken your hand and told you this face to face. My dad landed on Omaha Beach on D-day plus 3 and I know how that experience affected him all the rest of his life. The emotions he suffered from those days were with him until he died at the age of 78 in 1991. For those of you who fought and now fight for what we have today, I thank you with all my heart and pray that we will continue to fight today for the freedom you fought so bravely to allow us have today. God bless you, Shifty, and all the others!
Dylan Donegan
October 12, 2009
Thanks for everything shifty tell the guys i said hey!
Doug Rivers
October 7, 2009
Thank you for all that did. Godspeed.
carey st.cyr
October 5, 2009
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kristin Saplala
October 5, 2009
Thank you Mr. Powers, from a fellow Virginian.
I am 21 years old, and am deeply inspired by your story as I am also of my grandfather who fought in the Pacific as a Filipino guerrilla. I plan to be a doctor someday, perhaps an army medic.
Please know, that your story will be told for generations to come. Your sense of sacrifice, honor and duty are what makes our nation great, and brought freedom to those half a world away. It is also the sense of humor and camaraderie that made us relate to you even more.
Say Hello to my grandparents for me! And a BIG HURRAH to the guys you served with, and to all the vets who sacrificed their lives for us.
Tom Johnson
October 2, 2009
Thank you Mr. Powers for your service and example as a true American Hero.
Andrew M
September 26, 2009
Godspeed, SSGT Powers. Mere words cannot convey my gratitude to you and your mates for your exemplary service.
RIP
Dan Cole
September 20, 2009
THe Nation has lost a great man. The Flag at my house will be at half mast to honor him.
Dan
Larry Martin
September 14, 2009
Shifty, thank you for your service. You were truly a hero to us all. As the son of a WWll veteran, may you rest in piece. You have earned it.
September 14, 2009
God Bless you Shifty. They don't make'm like you anymore (a few measure up). Thank you for your service. I appeciate it.
Keith High
September 7, 2009
Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of a genuine hero. He may be gone from us, but he will never be forgotten.
Louise Johnson
September 1, 2009
To The Family of Staff Sgt Powers: I am the daughter of a D-Day veteran as well and wish to extend my sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. Dad was on the LCI 92 that never made it into Omaha Beach that morning but somehow he survived. Each and every member of "The Greatest Generation" will forever hold a very special place in my heart. Dad passed away 7 years ago but will always live on in my heart. Today I am a volunteer with Soldiers Angels because of him and all of you! Thank you for your undying love for our country and your service to it.
Louise Doucette Johnson
Daughter of Ernest P. Doucette
293rd JASCO (6th Army Special Brigade)
Please Remember To Thank A Vet
http://d-daydaughter.blogspot.com/
Donald Beach
August 28, 2009
You hit the landing area a few hours before my LCVP attached the LST 494 did .The 101 & the 82 airborn were toughest of the best.
May you REST IN PEACE ,you earned it.
We are dying off at about 1400 a day so it will no be long before I can shake your hand
Don Beach. US Navy Amphibs
John Davis
August 28, 2009
28 August 09
Let us look at the bright side--Heaven has another hero.
Donna Giardino-Churley
August 28, 2009
God Bless Staff Sergeant Darrell "Shifty" Powers for his service to our Great Nation, for his efforts to keep us a free nation, along with his Band of Brothers and all the other heroes from WWII. It was another WWII hero who told me of this brave man, we have them all to thank for defending Freedom and the USA. Rest in Peace Sergeant Powers. I salute you.
John MacKenzie
August 26, 2009
Thank you Staff Sergeant Darrell " Shifty " Powers.
Clare Goeckner
August 26, 2009
With gratitude for Staff Sergeant Darrell “Shifty” Powers and his service to our country and to his family and their sacrifices.
Daughter of WWI era Msgt. Lester W. Berger, 1911-2000
Larry
August 24, 2009
I did not have the honor of meeting Darrell "Shifty" Powers in life, but I have met several WWII veterans who each have a valuable story of citizenship and valor. We should all listen to the stories and stand vigil to protect the freedoms they bought for us. Thanks "shifty" Powers and all the veterans of this Great Country we call home.
Phil Geraghty
August 21, 2009
A real hero ! there arnt many of you left !
R.I.P Shifty
From UK
Phil.
Stephanie Chesney
August 20, 2009
Rest in peace, Shifty. You have truly earned it. Thank you for your service, and for being a true hero that I can hold up for my kids. Currahee!
Jacqueline Long
August 16, 2009
God Bless Youu Shifty for all you have done for us. You will never be forgotten. For a job well done now enjoy your rest.
John
August 12, 2009
Now you are with old friends in a better place.
Rest in peace.
Jenny Lehman
August 11, 2009
Rest easy, Shifty. You have earned the peace you fought for all those years ago. I know that you are with your brothers from Easy in Heaven.
"Look out Shifty has a gun" yelled someone in the crowd from the 60th anniversary of D-Day tour!
August 10, 2009
Paul Wright & Shifty on the square in Carentan
August 10, 2009
Paul & Vi Wright
August 9, 2009
May your memories of a wonderful man never fade. God be with you in your sorrow.
We were fortunate to meet your beloved husband, father & grandfather. We were on the Stephen Ambrose D-Day 60th anniversary tour. We assisted Shifty in buying a gift for his granddaugher at our hotel in Paris as he was having trouble reading the price, etc.
August 9, 2009
thank you and god bless you
char wolf
August 7, 2009
Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice to this great nation. You are my hero.
DONNA MARKWICK
August 6, 2009
My thanks to all the veterans.I lost my husband of 50 years in 1998.He was a career navy man.We have not seen to many years of peace since 1941.My heart aches for all the families who have lost loved ones since then.may we have lasting peace in the future so that our young ones can enjoy family.thank you "Shifty"for your dedicated service .God Bless
Donna POULSBO.WA.
Carl Slicer
August 6, 2009
My 17 year old son Nathan is a "Big Fan" of Veterans. I just wanted to say thank you to the family for I did not have a chance to say thank you to Mr Powers and for his humble service to our country. Nathan brought the story of Mr Powers based on the reading he has done on our veterans, to my attention. He was impressed with the visit at Philadelphia airport.
My 19 year old son Andrew is an Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, he picked our town cemetery: Every year our Scouts post American flags on our veterans graves. Some graves are rather old & hard to read. So Andrew & his troop took on the 400+ hour task of mapping & recording our cemetery so no veteran would be overlooked for when the American flag is posted.
Thank you, Carl Slicer, a proud parent of 2 great boys, Elllington, CT.
Kurt Yoder
August 1, 2009
As a Screaming Eagle, you have touched the face of God. Rest in peace. Shifty, you will be remembered as an American pioneer whose invincible courage was the foundation stone of the United States.
Kevin King
July 27, 2009
Shifty,
Thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country -- for each and every one of us.
Thanks,
The King Family
A. Ron Lewis
July 27, 2009
Swifty,
I know you can't read my words or hear my voice but never the less, I want to thank you and your band of brothers for your dedicated service and sacrifice to this nation.
Airborne all the way,
A. Ron
Gail Chicks
July 27, 2009
I am sorry I never got to meet you. I ant to thank you for your servicce to our wonderful country! My daughter is serving in Baghdad right now. The world lost a true hero! Enjjoy your angel wings!
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