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The Reverend William V. Powell, longtime priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, passed away on May 26, 2026 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. A memorial service in his honor will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2026 at the First Christian Church in Stillwater. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.
Fr. Bill was born April 18, 1927 in Pampa, Texas to Earl Lorenzo Powell, and Olive Alice Powell. His childhood was filled with moving to many towns during the great depression living in Pampa, Clinton, Woodward, Enid, Kansas, Corpus Christi, and Oklahoma City. It was his senior year in high school at Central High School in OKC, that he met the love of his life, Jacqueline Hoshall. However, the day he turned 18 years of age, he enlisted in the United States Navy to serve his country during WWII. Jackie waited for his return, while he was stationed on the carrier ship U.S.S. Ranger until the war ended. When he returned, they married in 1947 and shared 65 beautiful years of marriage until her passing in 2012. They were blessed with 4 children, Stephen A. Powell, Richard L. Powell, infant daughter Andrea Powell, and Patti K. (Powell) Bonner.
After Fr. Bill's service in the Navy, he worked at a flower shop in Oklahoma City. He loved the work and eventually he and Jackie bought a florist shop in Hugo, Oklahoma where they spent 4 years and it was there when he first felt his call to ministry. He and Jackie headed North to Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin, where he graduated three years later. For his first assignments, he became the Deacon-in-Charge of both St. Mark's Churches in Blackwell and Perry, Ok. On September 27, 1958, he was ordained into the priesthood by Right Reverend Chilton Powell at Grace Episcopal Church in Ponca City.
In his ministry, all but eight years were within 25 miles of where he started. He first served St. Mark's in Blackwell and St. Mark's in Perry from 1958 to 1963. Once the new rectory was built, the family moved to Perry where St. Mark' congregation grew tremendously during Fr. Bill's time, so the congregation decided to build a new, larger church. During this time, he also took temporary assignments of Trinity Episcopal Church in Guthrie for a year and a half, as well as The Church of the Ascension in Pawnee, Ok.
After his time at St. Mark's, Fr. Bill was called to St. Peter's in Tulsa where he was Vicar from 1963 to 1967. It was at St. Peter's where he was named the first chairman of the Department of Christian Education. St. Peter's became a pilot educational church for small church schools. They developed resource libraries, curriculum evaluation and much more that contributed to the Christian education. He accepted a position as canon in charge of education and youth ministry and part time with the Diocese as Assistant to Bishop Davidson with the Western Kansas Diocese from 1967 till 1970. It was his time serving on the Diocesan Staff that inspired him to get involved with the national church's training for ministry discernment. He assisted in conducting conferences around the country. He served 7 years on the National Executive Council, 2 terms (1972 - 1979) as a provincial representative, served as the first Chairman for Department of Christian Education for Ministry, and attended 5 General Conventions. As much as he enjoyed his work, however, it reinforced in him his need to have a church, a congregation that needed him. In 1970, he accepted a call to be the rector of St. Andrew's in Stillwater in 1970. St. Andrew's blossomed under his direction, and he faithfully served the parish and community until his retirement in1988. Fr. Bill's ministry focused on nurturing faith, supporting college students at Oklahoma State University through Canterbury activities, and fostering a strong sense of community.
Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter, Patti Powell Bonner and husband Terry of Dripping Springs, Texas; grandsons Ryan Bonner and fiancé Haley McCray of Enid, Oklahoma and Cory Bonner and Harli Wheeler of Miami, Oklahoma; nieces, Jane Henrici and husband Ryan Koch of Washington, D.C., Janine Magnis, Dallas, Texas; nephew, Bruce Henrici and wife, Sandy of Richmond, Texas and their children Lindsey and Andy and their families; many friends and a wide community of former parishioners who will cherish his memory.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline H. Powell; sons, Stephen A. Powell and Richard L. Powell, infant daughter Andrea Powell; parents, Earl and Olive Powell; brothers, Valgene Powell, Michael Powell and Harlan Powell; sister-in law and brother-in law, Holice and Bill Henrici.
Thank you to all of Bill's caregivers who took special care of him and helped him through his journey, especially the care team at Primrose, Luminos Hospice care team who jumped into action and provided wonderful care and compassion and Kim Sutton and Barbara with Phoenix Physical Therapy who were always there to help him get stronger physically and mentally. There were so many angels who helped Fr. Bill and you all are so very special and very much appreciated, especially Carolyn Rodebush, Donna & Harvey Yost, Anne Hacker, John and Kim Anderson and truly so many others.
Thank you to First Christian Church for hosting the service for Father Bill.
Memorials may be given in Fr. Bill's name to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 507, Perry, Ok 73077.
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