William Eugene Powell

William Eugene Powell, was born January 4, 1939 in Osage, Oklahoma to Austin Harry and Stella Mae (Estes) Powell. Bill grew up and attended school in Osage and was the Class President. While in school Bill was active in baseball and volleyball. Bill was a member of the State Championship Team that swept the regional crown, which later knocked off Oklahoma City Capitol Hill the stateís largest school in the first game then after two more opponents, beat Capron in the final to become the new state champion team in Oklahoma. After his graduation in 1958, he went to visit the college campus at Tahlequah. Bill was interested in playing collegiate basketball. After several days of consideration Bill decided to return to Osage because Tahlequah was too large of a city and too far from home. When Bill returned his brother Dale took him to get a job with the pipe liners union. In 1966 he was united in marriage to Rosalind Janette Kniesel in Greenville, South Carolina.

While working on the pipeline it took Bill and his family all over the United States. The most pleasurable time for Bill was the Sunday afternoon drives when his children were growing up. Bill also had a special place in his heart for his animals. Starting with a small herd of cattle he has grown his hobby to over 40. He would on many occasions hand feed and water the ones that were sick. Friends and family of Bill would often say; ìhe was the kindest hearted man they ever knew.î Bill would spend countless hours with his grandkids playing ball. Many children also knew Bill as Pa Pa; because it was a given that he would take afternoon snacks to the school for everyone to enjoy. In 2001 Bill retired from the Operating Engineers to take care of his grandchildren that he adored.

Bill passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2006 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 67 years 3 months and 22 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters Patty Rae Smith, Betty Moore, Shirley Ann Allembaugh and one brother Dale Estes.

Survived by his three children, Johnny and his wife Renee Holloway of Cleveland, Oklahoma; Chris and his wife Nicky Powell of Cleveland, Oklahoma; Michelle Powell of Jennings, Oklahoma; two brothers, Austin and his wife Erma Powell of Eureka, Kansas; Fred and his wife Joyce Powell of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; two sisters, Lou and her husband Muggy Johnson of Jennings, Oklahoma; Ruth Gilleland of Corpus Christi, Texas; six grandchildren, Steven and Whitney Holloway, Dylon and Chloe Powell, Lacey Pogue, Josie Glossop, four great grandchildren as well as numerous other relatives and friends.