Williams ‘David’ Powell

By Staff
November 17, 2 007
Funeral for William David Powell, 80, of Decatur was Saturday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. at Oak Park Church of God in Decatur with the Revs. Bobby Newman and Dennis Shadix officiating and Roselawn Funeral Home directing.
Burial was in Powell’s Chapel Cemetery at Lacon.
Mr. Powell died Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at the DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa after an extended illness. He was born Oct. 18, 1927, in Lacon to Walter and Daisy Powell. He was a devout man of God, family, church and country. He was dedicated not only to his family but also to his hundreds of friends and acquaintances, all of who admired and respected his friendship, humor and loyalty.
Powell entered the U.S, Army in 1948 and was stationed in Europe, Portugal, Virgin Islands and Japan. He served with the 1st Calvary Division in North Korea as a gunner and asset section chief. He was injured and discharged from the Army as a corporal after a year of recovery at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. While in the Army, he earned the Soldier’s Medal for bravery, the UN Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was very proud of his service to his country.
Powell married his beloved wife, Vondalee Hale of Cullman in 1951. He remained devoted to her until his death. She was the love of his life.
After the Army, he completed his education and entered the grocery business in Cullman. He had great success in Decatur, Cullman and Athens, retiring from the Kroger Company in Decatur.
He loved his job because it enabled him to interact with people.
He was a member of Oak Park Church of God in Decatur for 47 years. He served as a Sunday school teacher, on the pastor’s council and building committee. He was president of YPE and directed the church’s bus ministry for many years. He was a true servant of his faith.
Powell was loved and will be greatly missed by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters, Bee Murphy, Gracie Etheridge, Mary Hand, Martha Cobb and Perlie Johnson and a brother, Bud Powell.
His is survived by two sons, Norman Powell and wife Deborah and Nathan Powell and wife Marion; two daughters, LeNora Nobling and husband Johnny and Shery Powell and fianc/ Rick McLemore; two sisters, Jewel Ball and Dorothy Shadix, both of Vinemont; a brother, John Powell of Vinemont; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.