William G. Powell, retired store owner
William G. Powell, 87, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away with family present Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Brandywine Senior Living Center, Seaside Pointe, after recent declining health. He was a devoted husband to Barbara A. Powell for 63 years.
Bill was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Air Force as a gunnery instructor on B29s at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, where he met and married Barbara Alexander.
Bill was the owner and operator of Rollin H. Powell & Son Inc., with three paint and wallpaper stores in the greater Waterbury, Conn. area. Upon retirement, he and Barbara set off to Dunedin, Fla., where they resided for 23 years. Two and one-half years ago, they moved to Delaware to be closer to family.
Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara A. Powell of Rehoboth Beach; and his four children, Susan Borchard (Gary) of Franklin, Mass., Steven Powell (Leslie) of Bantam, Conn., Betsy Cruice (Frank) of Dagsboro, and Leslie Petty (Doug) of Pleasanton, Calif. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, with the fifth due in May. He is preceded in death by his parents, Rollin H. Powell and Dorothy H. (Wadhams) Patrick; and a sister, Verna Brunelle. He always considered raising his family his specialty in life!
Bill raised his family in the Waterbury area where he was active in his church, and was a previous president of the local Lions Club. He loved sports, and was particularly fond of baseball and golf. In addition Bill loved music and enjoyed singing in a number of church choirs over the years.
A Memorial Service was held in the Chapel of Brandywine Senior Living Center where family and friends gathered April 3. A service of inurnment will be held at the convenience of the family at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
At the request of the family, memorial gifts may be made in Bill’s memory to VITAS Hospice, 100 Commerce Drive, Suite 302, Newark, DE 19713.
Please visit www.boundsfuneralhome.com for letters of condolence.
