William T. Powell

William Townsend Powell of Lynchburg, Virginia, lived a full and faithful life. After 94 years, he passed into eternity on November 26.

Born on September 5, 1931, to Cecil Carlile and Ina Frances Taylor Powell, Bill grew up in Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. He was an Army veteran who served during the Korean War. Bill received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting from Virginia Tech. He was particularly proud of his service as a trumpeter and captain of the Corps of Cadets’ regimental band, the Highty-Tighties. Bill loved to sing. From the bass section of the Wesley Singers the accompanist, Ida Berger, caught his eye and they fell in love. The two enjoyed 66 years of marriage, during which three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren became a part of their love. Westminster Canterbury was their home for the past ten years, filled with friends, old and new.

Bill, Ida and their family worshipped God at Centenary United Methodist Church. A keen Bible scholar, Bill found joy in teaching the same adult Sunday School class for more than 60 years. He also lived out his worship as a choir member, church treasurer, chairman of the administrative, finance, and other committees, and occasional kitchen pot washer. With other music lovers, he helped to choose the church’s current organ and delighted in listening to organists brave enough to shake the rafters with a good Bach toccata.

Professionally, Bill was a CPA. He practiced for 37 years, ending his career as Resident Managing Partner of Cherry Bekaert’s Lynchburg office. He contributed his expertise to state and national professional organizations and he was particularly invested in serving locally. Bill was a director of Bedford Federal Savings Bank, the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, the Lynchburg Adult Care Center, and Westminster Canterbury Foundation of Lynchburg. He was treasurer of Elizabeth’s Early Learning Center and the Virginia Inland Sailing Association at Smith Mountain Lake, of which he was a founding member.

Many of Bill’s passions stemmed from his childhood in Cape Charles. He found joy on his sailboat, whether on the Chesapeake Bay or Smith Mountain Lake. He could (and would) talk for hours about the history of the Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay conservation. An avid bird watcher and nature lover, Bill and his green sidekick “Freddie” regularly explored the Westminster Canterbury nature trail and its inhabitants.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Ida Berger Powell, his parents, and brothers Cecil Carlile Powell II and John Wellington Powell. He is survived by his brother, Thomas Purnell Powell (Nancy); his children, Susan Powell of Arlington, Mary Powell Vartain (Richard) of Annapolis, and John Powell (Sarah) of Ruckersville; eight grandchildren: Catherine Vartain Frilund (Henri), Lilly Vartain Williams (Jacob), Julie Vartain, Jesse Vartain, Michael Vartain, Madeline Powell, Lindsey Powell, Kenton Powell; great-grandchildren Sophia Williams and Matthew Williams; and the beloved families of his brothers.

The funeral service will be held at Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg on Saturday, December 6. The time will be announced here later this week. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Nature Trail Fund of the Westminster Canterbury of Lynchburg Foundation (https://www.wclynchburg.org/giving).

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.