William Powers

William Ellis Powers (Bill), age 76 of Petros passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.  Mr. Powers was a member at Stephens Baptist Church.  Bill was an ordained minister.  He was a 50 yr. 32nd degree mason and a member of the Emerald Lodge #377.  Bill was a skilled carpenter and a barber.  He retired from Brushy Mt. Prison where he was known as “Willie”.  He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. & Mrs. Luther Powers (Elsie) 3 sisters Rebecca and Opal Powers and Ima Powers Sutton.  3 brothers Harold, Tom and Gordon Powers.  His wife and mother of his children Lala Mathis Powers, daughter Tonya Powers Lemons Lawson.

He is survived by 2 daughters:  Jennifer & husband Kerry Ruppe of Oakdale

Sonya & husband Michael Wade I of St. Petersburg, FL

7 grandchildren:  Jeremy & wife Sally Lemons who were his faithful caregivers.

Alex & wife Jamie Ruppe, Valerie & husband Justin Disney, Rachel Ruppe, Michael Wade, Jr. & My Huynh, Michelle and Meaghan Wade.

9 great grandchildren with one more to be born in September

1 great great grandchild

Jay Gossett and wife Robyn who he thought of as a son.

Pat Keathly longtime friend and co-worker

Sister:  Dorothy Kaufman,

Brother:  Don & wife Wanda Powers

Sister-in-law Clara Powers

Graveside service at Rankin Chapel Cemetery in Oakdale on Saturday July 9, 2016, 1 pm with Bro. Kerry Ruppe and Bro. Paul Bingham officiating.