Mr. William J. Powell, 89, of Endwell, passed away early Wednesday morning at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, December 18, 2013, after complications from Alzheimer’s and pneumonia, and is now with our Lord, his beloved wife Betty and son Michael. William, ‘Bill’, was indeed a role model to everyone who knew him and although he will be greatly missed, his legacy lives on through his children and spouses, grandchildren and great grandchild amongst many others. He is survived by one daughter, Maureen P. Zimmer, her husband Jeffrey Zimmer, Middletown, CT; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Powell, widow of son Michael Powell, Endwell; four sons and daughters-in-law: Kevin and Janet Powell, Norcross, GA, William T. and Ann Powell, Endwell, Vincent and Barbara Powell, Endicott, Craig and Theresa Powell, Cromwell, CT; twelve grandchildren: Kelly Fishman, San Diego, Kim Huffman and husband Nick Huffman, Liverpool, NY, Kelsey Powell, San Diego, Jason Powell, Atlanta, GA, Jessica Dennis and husband Scott Dennis, Durham, NC, Paige and Brooke Powell, Endwell, Nathaniel Powell, Endicott, David and Vanessa Powell Cromwell, CT, and Jerrod and Valerie Zimmer, Middletown, CT; one great grandson, Dylan Fishman, SanDiego; sister Marguerite and brother-in-law Donald Adams, brother Thomas and sister-in-law Arlene, sister Sheila and brother-in-law Jim Leeper, sister Denise and husband Alan Stadler, sister Maura, and brother Stephen and wife Roberta Powell, along with many nieces and nephews. And especially his loving companion and friend Dottie Allen these past twenty plus years. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Betty J Powell and son Michael F Powell, sisters and brother-in-laws: Ruth and Bill Blazey, Mary Jane and Al Abbott, his mother Catherine Powell, step-mother Betty Powell and father Elias Powell. Bill was an active member of the Church of the Holy Family in Endwell and truly lived his Catholic faith. Following his schooling at UE and Scranton University, he joined the army and was actively engaged in WWII in Europe; he then proceeded with a long and rewarding career with IBM for 42 years. His passion throughout his life was his family – wife Betty, raising six kids, coaching sports and attending as many events as physically possible of all his kids’ and grandkids’ activities. His reputation was steadfast in treating people fairly and doing the right thing; hard working, loyal husband and father, compassionate, great sense of humor with a strong faith in God – he was a hero to many.
His family wants to express special appreciation to the staff at Good Shepherd Village in Endwell who truly became his 2nd family, for their kindness and care giving the last 3 ½ years of his life.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 23rd at 9:30 am at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at the Church of the Holy Family in Endwell at 10:00 am. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Sunday from 2 to 5 pm. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 401 Hayes Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.