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Rev. William Oliver Powell
Rev. William Oliver Powell
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William Powell Obituary
Powell
July 4, 1936-
May 24, 2013
Columbus, GA- The Reverend William Oliver Powell died on May 24, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital. He was born in Columbus, Georgia on July 4, 1936. He was predeceased by his parents, Bennett and Mattie Powell, and his three brothers, Edmond, Lucius, and Ray Powell.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church on Tuesday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Robert Beckum, Rev. Sam M. Clark, and Dr. Donald M. Kea officiating. A private interment will be held prior to the service at Parkhilll Cemetery with Dr. Buddy Cooper officiating. The family will greet friends in Stockwell Hall at St. Luke at the conclusion of the memorial service.
Reverend Powell attended St. Elmo School and Columbus High School, graduating in 1954. He graduated from Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
He served faithfully in the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Included in his ten appointments were; Sherwood United Methodist Church, St. Paul United Methodist Church, and the Superintendent of the Columbus District of the United Methodist Church. He retired in 2001.
In his retirement, Reverend Powell enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, doing at least three crossword puzzles daily, playing golf with his group, and the "McDonald's Coffee Club". His love of music included not only the great hymns of the church, but ran the gamut from Broadway musicals to barbershop quartets.
Reverend Powell is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sylvia Anderson Powell; his daughters Libbie Powell Key (Jack), Billie Powell Flowers (Mac), both of Columbus, Christy Powell Garner (Darren) of Auburn; his seven grandchildren, Will Garner, Jack Key IV, Chris Garner, Ruthie Flowers, Sally Key, Bill Flowers, and Clay Garner, and several nieces and nephews.
South Georgia Conference ministers and their spouses are invited to sit as a group for the memorial service.
Memorials may be sent to St. Luke UMC Respite Care Ministry, P.O. Box 867, Columbus, GA 32902 or Columbus Hospice www.columbushospice.com .
Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com .
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Cynthia Williams
June 19, 2013
Sylvia, I will truly miss Bill and that wonderful smile of his along with his jovial disposition! My prayers always for you and your family.
Donna Harvard-Harper
May 30, 2013
Sylvia, This has opened such a flood gate of beautiful memories with you and Bill. Mother called me from Roswell to let me know that Bill had gone to meet our heavenly father. I am so sorry for the hurt you feel and the loss your family will feel for years to come. But know this, you and Bill made such an influence in my life and taught me that through Christ our Lord I could handle all things.
Donna Harvard Harper (Pensacola, FL)
Minnie Carlisle
May 30, 2013
Sylvia,
While I pray for you and your family. I'm remembering Dr. Powell's leadership as I served as SPRC chairperson M.L. Harris United Methodist Church. I always admired how straightforward he was but fair at the same time.
A church member called and told me of his passing and she relates to you as the lady who preached Romans 8, I do too.
I'm so glad that I touched shoulders with Bill and you.
God Bless,
Minnie Carlisle
jim @grace dendy
May 29, 2013
Sylvia, What a beautiful service yesterday. We were so happy we could attend. We will continue to keep you and family in our prayers. We will always remember our fun times together.
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Angela (Powell) Holden
May 29, 2013
I am so sorry for the families loss of such a good man, though I am sure that Heaven will rejoice in his company as he joins the ranks of the Angels and Saints.
Mary Margaret McNeill
May 28, 2013
Sylvia, I was so sorry to hear about Bill. I have many fond memories of our days together as students at Wesleyan. My prayers are with you and your family.
May 28, 2013
I was sorry to receive news about Bill. My prayers are with you all, as you are in my thoughts during this difficult time. Bill will always be a shining light in our lives. Love, Billie Anne Huling.
May 28, 2013
Was sorry to here news about Bill. He will be missed. Praying for you all and you are in my thoughts.
Love Billie Anne Huling
May 28, 2013
Just received news about Bill. I am thinking and praying of you and yours. I will be in touch. Love, Bettie Bazemore
Ed Griffin
May 28, 2013
Sylvia and the entire Powell family,
The Memorial Service for Bill today was a great Blessing for all who attended. Rev. Beckum did a masterful job of capturing the real essence of Bill Powell: a Christian man, a wonderful friend, a loving husband, a truly good man! Shirley and I agreed that it was the only "funeral" we had ever been to that we really enjoyed. It was truly a Celebration of Bill's life!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Libby, and the whole Powell family at this time.
I knew Bill only in his latter years, but I enjoyed very much playing golf with him at CCC every Sat & Sun for several years. He was my dear friend and I will miss him.
Ed & Shirley Griffin
May 28, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Love Always,
Suzanne Mullin
Mark Hudson
May 28, 2013
Our prayers are with you during this difficult period. The service today was beautiful.
Chuck McDaniel
May 28, 2013
I am very sorry for your loss. your family is in my prayers.
Joel and Joyce Dent
May 28, 2013
Sylvia and the Powell family:
What great memories Joyce and I have of being with you and Bill in so many settings across these years. Thank you both for always being so supportive and encouraging...from the Doles appointment to the DS years. Our love and prayers are with you.
Bern Wallace
May 28, 2013
My blessings and warmest condolences to the Powell family. I know he will be missed.
Rev. Ralph T. Bowling, III
May 27, 2013
Bill was one of the best homilecticians of his generation in the South Georgia Annual Conference of the United Methodism.
Rev. Ralph T. Bowling, III
May 27, 2013
Bill was one of the best homileticians of his generation in the South Georgia Annual Conference of United Methodism.
Larry Dannelley
May 27, 2013
My love goes out to you and the family. May Bill rest in peace and in God's loving arms.
May 27, 2013
May our Lord's Grace..His Strength..and His Peace fill you all. You are in my thoughts and Prayers.
Barbara Diamond
Donie Ann Henderson
May 26, 2013
Sylvia and Family,
The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone's prayers, and the very best place to be is ----in the hands of God. You are in my thoughts and prayers and in God's hands.
John Cartwright
May 26, 2013
My condolences to Bill's family. I was very sorry to learn of his death. Bill & I were classmates at both St. Elmo and Columbus High. Lived in WA state the last 37 years.
Andy & Sandy Andrews
May 26, 2013
Just wanted to let you all know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this the loss of a dear family member to you all. No one can fill the recent void made by his passing. My husband and I worked with the youth of St. Andrew U.M.Ch. as youth counselors for 17 or so years. One or two of our most favorite summer workers were Kathy Randell and Mitch Watts. The void left by Kathy has traveled with us over the years and know that she sits at the right hand of God, along with her beloved mother, Janet. Mitch, we see on fb and communicate with him from time to time. There have been various others whom we've kept in touch with over the ensuing years. May God richly bless you all at Bill's passing.
Jon Spano
May 26, 2013
God Bless You and Hold you in the Palm of his Hand.
Allen Sistrunk
May 26, 2013
Dearest Sylvia and the Girls......I am so very sorry to read of Bill's passing. He had such an impact on my life that remains with me today. May God and all the Angels be with you and Bill's soul.
May 26, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this most difficult time. May you continue to feel God's presence. Jimmy and Barbara Motos
Jed Harris
May 26, 2013
Bill Powell was a good man. My condolences to Sylvia and family.
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