Billy Wayne Powell was born February 11, 1935, to his parents, W.E. (Bill) and Juanita Powell. He was the oldest of their three children, with sisters Ann (deceased) and Sandra. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patsy (Brewster) Powell, and two children, Denise and Wayne who is married to Sarah. He is also survived by two grandchildren from Wayne's marriage to Sarah, Seth Mabry and Abigail as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Billy Wayne was raised in Pecos and graduated from Pecos High School in 1954. One of his classmates/ Dr. James Mayfield, recently gave us this remembrance of him:
If anyone in the class of 1954 could be called a "gentle giant," it was Billy Wayne. I think it was Glen Teaney (another classmate) who said that if Bill had not been so concerned about hurting others, there is no telling how good a football lineman he would have been and just how good was seen on the rare occasions he lost his temper. Our senior year he handled the kick-offs and he could kick the ball so far that it usually went beyond the end zone and if it did not, it went so high we had time to get downfield to limit the return (most of the time). He was quiet in groups, but he had a good sense of humor and a great laugh. I remember one time on a Sunday afternoon, we took our fathers' shotguns out to the river and destroyed several cans and in the process got a bruise or two on our shoulders. Then we were somewhat concerned on our way back to town that our dads might catch us before we got the guns back in place. Our paths seldom crossed after high school and our family moved to San Angelo but on the occasions when we did get together it was like old times.

Billy Wayne studied at Texas Tech for two years before he was called into service, once during the Korean War and then again when he was called during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was discharged honorably for serving his country and returned to Pecos following his tour of duty.

By this time, Billy Wayne's father was part owner and manager of a John Deere store to service the area farmers. Billy Wayne began working at the store. Eventually, Billy Wayne and his father purchased the outstanding shares of the business and renamed it Powell and Son. Billy Wayne's father ran the front office and handled sales. Billy Wayne provided service and managed the repair service both on as well as off-site. Billy Wayne met Pat who moved from Harrison to Pecos. He asked her out for a milkshake and they were married in June 1966.

Billy Wayne was active in the local First United Methodist Church in Pecos, where he served on the Finance Committee eventually chairing it prior to his move to Harrison. He was an usher nearly every Sunday greeting parishioners.

Billy Wayne and Pat moved to Harrison in 1989, where Pat was born and raised. She graduated from Bergman High School prior to moving to Texas. He tried retirement during the first couple of years of residency here, but eventually began volunteering his time with Share and Care and spent many years donating his time.

He would be the first person to tell you that he was blessed in his marriage to Pat. He had his children, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and a wonderfully full life. He was able to tell his family through words and smiles and kisses how much he loved and appreciated them, and they were able to let him know how much that he was a loved and valued man in theirs. He was surrounded by his wife and children when he passed this past Saturday morning.

Cremation and arrangements are being handled by Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Harrison, Arkansas, at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 26th with interment at a later date.