William E. POWELL

POWELL, William E. Born in Little Rock, AR, Bill attended Little Rock Central High School where he was vice-president of the student body. He excelled in football and track, and was offered twelve college football scholarships. At his mother's insistence, he played saxophone in the band during half time at the football games, and then changed back into his football gear for the second half. He held the State record for the sixty yard dash for many years. Bill loved football and he loved Vanderbilt! He was Vanderbilt player of the week four times, SEC player of the week three times and on the Vanderbilt University Honor Council. Bill was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and an SAE Founder's Medalist. He was a 1950 graduate of Vanderbilt University. He was in the US Naval Reserve and served aboard the USS Coral Seas where he trained with the Naval Academy football team. He was a long time member and served as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church. Devoted father and loyal friend, Bill never met a stranger. He possessed an exuberant personality, was a true Southern gentleman and was the epitome of a man's man. He overcame many life-altering challenges in his long life with grace, optimism and perseverance. He was greatly respected and revered by all those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed, but remembered with great fondness for his love of life, family and friends. Bill was the previous owner of Capitol Chevrolet/Honda, one of the largest volume Chevrolet dealers in the Southeast, and the first Honda dealer in Tennessee. He served twice as president of the Tennessee Automobile Association. He was president of the Nashville Automobile Association, where he was the recipient of The Legends Award. He was president of his twenty group for eight years, and was a member of the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Bill held memberships in Belle Meade Country Club, Nashville City Club, the Exchange Club, the Cedar Creek Yacht Club, Beaver Creek Country Club, Hillwood Country Club and the Vanderbilt Commodore Club. He was a lifelong supporter of his beloved Vanderbilt University. Bill was preceded in death by loving parents, Ivah Lee Powell and Roy Powell; son, William E. Powell, Jr.; first wife, Helen Sudduth Powell. Survived by his wife of 21 years, Debra Richardson Powell; daughter, Mary Helen Maskill (Bill); son, Tyler Richardson Powell; grandchildren, Jaime Maskill, Hunter Maskill, Beau Powell and Channing Powell; cousins, Dr. Joe Michael Edwards (Charlotte Ann), Pat Edwards (Jackie); father-in-law, Robert Richardson; sister-in-law, Tanna Canada (Jimmy); brother-in-law, Buddy Sasser; sister-in-law, Roberta Witherspoon (John); nieces and nephews, Angela Canada (Shane), Kevin Canada (Christy), Anna Margaret Brackman (Dillon), Christian Edwards, Lynn Osgood (Byron), Dixon Witherspoon (Wanda), John Witherspoon IV (Leigh); and much loved golden retrievers, Scooter and Dixie. Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Michael Edwards, John Witherspoon, Bill Maskill, Jimmy Canada, Harold Lucas, Jerry Jones, David Barnette, Jimmy Allen and Jim Caldwell. Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, August 24th, 5-7 p.m. and Wednesday, August 25th from 2-4 p.m., in the Cheek House of First Presbyterian Church, to be followed by the Memorial Service in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church at 4 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in Bill's memory be given to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203; The Biblical Garden at First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Rd., Nashville, TN 37220; or Middle Tennessee Golden Retriever Rescue, PO Box 681106, Franklin, TN 37068. AUSTIN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, (615) 377-0775.