Billy Alvin Powers

Billy Alvin Powers, 92, passed away on August 11, 2024 at home in Grapevine, surrounded by his family. Loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor to all that knew him. He will be missed by anyone who met him as he was a “Great” man with an abundance of Grapevine knowledge and his friendliness to everyone he met.

Bill married Mae Pearl Foster in September 1954 and they would have been married 70 years next month. He is a 1942 Grapevine High School graduate lettering in football and basketball and elected GHS School Favorite in 1947. He would forgo a scholarship to play basketball at TCU and entered the United States Army where he would serve two years beside his twin brother Bob Powers.

After serving his country, he was employed by L.W. Parker Furniture for several years and later sold real estate. Bill went to work for the City of Grapevine in 1973 as a firefighter and was promoted to Asst. chief and Fire Marshall in 1979. His proudest moment was being named Fire Chief for the City of Grapevine in 1984 which he held until his retirement until 1999.

Bill has always been involved in his community, serving on the GISD (now GCISD) as trustee for 3 terms, he was an original member of the Grapevine Housing Authority, and served as an officer in both the Tarrant County Fire Fighters Association and the North Texas Fire Chiefs Association.

Bill received many honors for his lifetime of service; D.E. Box Citizen of the Year in 1971, the Don Ramey Community Service Award in 1999, Tarrant County Fire Chief of the year in 1985, GHS Walk of Honor recipient in 2019 and the Wall of Honor Grapevine Little League Baseball 2021. 

Bill’s hobbies included anything sports related; football, basketball, baseball and golf; Both coaching and playing. He was honored as the 1996 Parade Marshall for the GHS State football champs and was an avid Grapevine Mustangs Supporter.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, John and Grace Powers; his twin brother, Bob Powers and other loving family members. 

He is survived by Mae Pearl Foster Powers (wife); children, Mark Powers and Debbie Powers Scott (Gary); Grandson, Austin Scott (Ashley) and Great Grandson, Nolan Scott; Sue Powers Franks (sister) as well as several nephews and nieces and his City of Grapevine family.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Grapevine Shield Foundation. Click to donate