William "Bill" Powell

William "Bill" E. Powell, aged 94, of Pittsburg, died on January 6th, 2026, at Mercy Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born in Bixby, OK, on December 25th, 1931, to Earl H. and Frances Edwards Powell. He grew up in Bristow, OK, and graduated from Bristow High School in 1950.

He received a BS in geology and geography in 1954 from Oklahoma State University. He then graduated with a Master of Science degree in geology from the University of Arkansas in 1958. In 1970, he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a doctorate in geography.

Bill was a veteran of the US Army Signal Corps (1954-1956) and served in Germany (1955-1956) as a platoon officer in a Signal Corps unit. After his release from active duty, he was in the Army Reserves for 7 years and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain in 1963.

He began teaching geography at Pittsburg State University in 1959 and retired as a full professor in 1995. During his tenure, he also taught geology and authored numerous abstracts and articles in academic journals and later published many articles for the Morning Sun documenting the history of immigration and coal mining in southeastern Kansas.

Bill married Phyllis Marie Snyder in Bristow, OK, on January 31, 1955. They were married for 42 years prior to her death in 1997. He was later married to Grace Parker for 20 years. He was preceded in death by them and an infant granddaughter, Emma Mehle.

Survivors include daughters; Sara Powell-Moody (Terry Moody) of Leawood and Anne Powell (Jeff Mehle) of Denver, Colorado; and two grandchildren, William and Julia Mehle.

Bill was fascinated with Italian culture, food and language and was a member of the Italian Heritage Society of Pittsburg. He made many friends over the course of his life and always expressed his appreciation for them and everyone he met.

Reflective of his strong interests in geography, education, and community service, he was a member of the National Council for Geographic Education, Kansas National Educational Association, Sierra Club, and a former member of the Pittsburg Lions Club. He also volunteered for many years at Wesley House.

He was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church where a celebration of life service will be held on March 7th, at 1 pm, with a graveside service for family at Highland Park Cemetery immediately following. For those unable to attend, a video link will made available after the service at https://www.brennermortuary.com.

The family suggests memorial gifts to the Social Sciences Department in Memory of William Powell at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Gifts can be mailed to the PSU Foundation, Inc., PO Box 4005, Pittsburg, KS 66762 or can be given online at pittstate.edu/givenow. Or to Wesley House, 411 E. 12th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Friends and family may leave condolences at www.brennermortuary.com. Services are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary 114 E. Fourth St., Pittsburg, KS.