William Gregory Powell

After surviving more seasons of loyal friendships (otherwise known as alibis) than anyone thought humanly possible, Bill took his final ride after 65 years of making decisions with unwavering confidence and insisting, "I've got this."

Bill had a gift for collecting ride-or-die friends the way some people collect coffee mugs. Every season of his life brought new alliances. Some lasted until sunrise. Some lasted until happy hour. Some survived an entire season. A lucky few endured through thick and thin, lasting a lifetime.

Bill's first season centered on family. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ida and Orbie Reynolds ("Pop", and his father, William L. Powell. He is survived by his wife, Melissa Griffith Powell; his son, William Michael Powell; his daughter, Paige Marie Powell; his mother, Lee Reynolds Powell of Rockport, Texas; his sisters, Kim Flamand and Nina Tongate; his cousin, Gene Powell, who was like a brother to him; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Another unforgettable chapter of Bill's life was spent in Iran while attending the American School of Isfahan (ASI). Bill often said the best thing about living in Iran was the lifelong friendships he made there —and then seeing the country in the rearview mirror.

His next season unfolded in Weatherford, Texas, where he made countless friends, a few enemies, several ill-advised but well-executed plans, and met the woman who would become his wife. At the time, Bill's philosophy could best be summed up by Jimmy Buffett: It's Five O'Clock Somewhere. Before long, "somewhere" became anywhere a good time could be found.

Amid all the adventures, Bill also discovered the career that would become one of his greatest passions. Through relentless self-education and hands-on experience, he became an expert in electricity, refrigeration, advanced heating and cooling systems, chillers, boilers, compressors, and plumbing. He was the person you called to repair the equipment everyone else was afraid to touch.

His decades-long career reflected both his remarkable work ethic and his legendary stubbornness. Bill never stopped learning how things worked—or how to fix them when they didn't. And when the job was done, he wasn't shy about telling you exactly what you had done wrong.

Bill's most meaningful season was the one he spent with his family: his wife, Melissa; his children, Michael and Paige; and Samantha and Orin Taylor Williams, who proudly called him "Pop." This season also included the family he found through Rushco Energy, where friendships were forged through hard work, stress, chaos, and stories that will be told for years to come. Tim Rusher became far more than an employer—he was a mentor, a trusted friend, and someone who stood beside Bill until the very end. Bill's years at Rushco proved that family is sometimes forged not by blood, but through loyalty, shared work, and unwavering friendship.

Bill's partners, past and present, will gather one last time not to argue over who was his favorite (they're already doing that), but to raise a glass in honor of the only person capable of convincing everyone, "This will be fun," moments before complete and utter chaos unfolded.

Bill leaves behind family, countless friends, nieces, nephews, colleagues, extended family, a suspicious number of bar tabs, several unresolved group chats, and enough unforgettable stories to keep people laughing long after last call.

Family and friends will gather at the Crouch Event Center in Bicentennial Park, 900 E Glendale St, Crowley, TX 76036 on July 26, from 2:30 - 5:30 pm. A flyer will be emailed with the QR code to download a google doc for a head count and RSVP. Details will be provided on the flyer. Directions to the event center can be found here: https://www.ci.crowley.tx.us › recservices › page › crouch-event-center

In lieu of flowers, please bring sunscreen and the ability to forgive poor decisions made after hearing Jimmy Buffett songs. The dress code is tropical. Black is optional; Hawaiian shirts are encouraged. Tears are welcome, but laughter is mandatory.

As we say goodbye, we imagine Bill finding the biggest beach in heaven, where the sunsets never end, the flip-flops never break, and every day is forever five o'clock somewhere. We picture him sitting beside his father and his beloved "Pop," waiting for the rest of us to arrive so he can grin and say, "NOW, it's a party!"

In Bill's honor, the family asks that the next time your air conditioner makes a strange noise, a machine refuses to cooperate, or a repair requires three more trips to the hardware store than originally planned, you think of Bill.

He probably would have known what was wrong.

And there's a reasonably good chance he would have told you that you should have called him first.

The family extends special thanks to the friends who helped Bill find his ultimate alliance. Megan Cameron, Tim Rusher, Brian Mitchell, and Bill's brother-in-law, Martin Griffith, along with Martin's wife, Kim, helped Bill reclaim his place in heaven by reminding him that Jesus had always been with him. Sometimes Bill let Him in, even let him ride shotgun. Sometimes he made Him ride in the back. Sometimes Bill thought he had made the journey alone, only to discover, in the end, HE had been the passenger, all along.