Dr. William R. Powell's Obituary
Dr. William R. Powell, Professor Emeritus of the College of Education, passed away peacefully at home on March 15, 2016 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. His last days were enriched with loving and memorable time with family and special friends.
Bill was born in Martinsville, Indiana on November 20, 1932 to Lotus and Opal Powell, and was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Richard and James. He leaves behind one sister, Jane McConnell of New Smyrna Beach, FL.
He is survived by his devoted wife of sixty three years, Doris Helen (Allison) Powell; his four children, Jeanne (Steve) Orman of Jacksonville, FL, Bill Powell of Gainesville, FL, Mark (Kathy) Powell of Peachtree City, GA, and Susan (Ed) Brown of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He will be missed by his four grandsons, Andy (Allison) Powell of Peachtree City, GA, Robert (Chris White) Powell of Sanderson, Mass, Christopher (Beth) Orman of Charleston, SC, and Patrick Orman of Jacksonville, FL, as well as three great-grand daughters.
After earning a doctorate at Indiana University, Bill went onto a distinguished career as professor of education at Ball State University, the University of Illinois, the University of Evansville, and the University of Florida. He was one of the finest scholar/teachers in the field of reading and was the recipient of numerous educational awards. He was well known for his research and development of the informal reading inventory, his leadership in professional reading organizations, and expertise in teaching. His lifework was not only in the field of education, but within his family. He was a quietly generous man who often stated his greatest achievement was the realization that all of his children and grandchildren had graduated from college and that his best decision in life was marrying Doris, his college sweetheart and lifelong partner.
Before going to graduate school, Bill served in the U.S. Army.
Since moving to Gainesville forty years ago, The First Christian Church- Disciples of Christ has been his church home.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 19 at 2:00 P. M. at The First Christian Church, 3411 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 18, 2016 from 5 to 7 P. M., in the Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St., Newberry. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be sent to the Memorial Committee, First Christian Church, or Haven Hospice 4200 N.W. 90th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606.
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