William R. Powell
Class of 1968
 

VIRGINIA BEACH - On March 13, 2001, William R. Powell , 51, passed away peacefully in his home with family and friends at his bedside after a courageous four-year battle with Mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer.

His wife, Lisa M. Powell of Virginia Beach and daughter Allison Powell of Norfolk survive Bill. He was the son of Frankie Williams Powell and James E. Powell Jr. of Portsmouth. He is survived by his sister, Mary Neidlinger and her husband Robert of Chesapeake; his brother, James E. Powell III and his wife, Susan and daughter Amy of Portsmouth; and his constant companion Lucy.

Bill was born in Portsmouth and graduated from Cradock High School. He served in the Army for three years, including a tour in Vietnam. He was a graduate of Old Dominion University and afterward pursued a career in banking. His career moved him several times to live in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. In 1996, Bill and Lisa moved to San Francisco where he was a vice president at Visa International returning home to Virginia Beach in April 2000.

Bill had very diverse personal interest. For 15 years he played competition slow pitch softball in the Class A league. He was a serious runner participating in over 30 races and several marathons. He also enjoyed long distance cycling, camping and canoeing. Bill was a board member of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation Inc. In this role he was an inspiration to many who shared this disease. His humor, wit and insight enabled others to face their illness with courage, grace and hope.

To aid Bill in his support of the foundation, the family requests that those who wish to remember Bill do so with a donation to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1609 Garden St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Take a look at his site, www.marf.org

A chapel service will be conducted at noon Friday at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, by the Rev. Roger A. Gauthier.