William Powell

Athens - Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, William Walter "Bill" Powell passed to our Lord on June 20, 2007 after a long battle with cancer. Bill is survived by his wife Carolyn of 42 years, sons, Mike of Athens, Georgia and Steve and his wife Lisa of Suwanee, Georgia and his cherished grandchildren Jessica and Matthew.
Bills' passion for people and focus on others was evident in all phases of his devoted life. Bill's educational background began with a B. S. from Alma College in Alma, Michigan. His educational career then began in Grand Ledge, Michigan where he served as an elementary school principal, high school teacher and coach for both the tennis and basketball teams. Upon receiving his Master's degree at Michigan State University, he became Middle School principal for Fowlerville Middle School. After further studies he received his PhD in Middle School Education from Michigan State University. During this time, he served as a principle developer for the concept of middle school education. Soon after, he joined the University of Georgia faculty in the Department of Middle Grades Education. Furthering his career, Bill moved to Georgia College & State University in the Middle School Education program. While in this capacity he developed an Education Administration program and became full professor. His future education years were spent teaching educational administration and school law. Upon retirement in 1994, he was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus of Educational Administration at Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, Ga.
Always there with a helping hand and a caring word, Bill influenced so many lives with his guidance, love and spirit and these will always be the lasting tribute of his legacy of service. His unconditional love and passion for family was his Greatest gift. Activities after retirement included moving to Sapphire, North Carolina. While there, he was a dedicated member of St. Jude's Catholic Church and active as a parish council & building committee member while lending his Great Spirit and voice in the choir. He enjoyed being a part of Sapphire Mountain Golf Club and Holly Forest Environmental Committee.
Bill is also survived by a brother, Ambrose Powell; sisters, Jean Cook, Rosalyn Haggarty, all of Lainsburg, Michigan, and Loretta Street of Idaho; several nieces and nephews.
Memorial mass will be Thursday, June 21, 2007, at 7:00 PM at the University Catholic Center, Athens, GA, with a reception to follow in the social hall. A memorial mass will also be held Sunday, June 24, 2007 at 2:00 PM St. Jude's Catholic Church, Sapphire, N.C., with interment to follow in the church cemetery. There will be a gathering in the social hall after interment services.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mary's Hospice House, Athens, Ga.
The Powell family would also like to extend a special thank you to the many dear friends that have been such a source of strength and encouragement on this special journey. We pray that God's grace will bless each of you as you have so deeply blessed and enriched our lives.
Lord and Stephens, EAST, Athens, Ga., is in charge of arrangements.