William "Bill" Rapley Powell

William "Bill' Rapley Powell, resident of 303 Byrnes Ave., widower of Aylett Rosenberg Powell, passed away Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011.

Born in Abbeville Co. SC, he was a son of the late Albert Lee Powell and Sara Wilson Powell.

Bill was a graduate of Clemson University obtaining his Masters of Education Degree. He was also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, The National Defense University, Piedmont Technical College (A.S.) and Limestone College (B.S.). Bill retired as Postmaster of Abbeville, SC after 34 years with the U.S. Postal Service, and also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 34 years with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve Components.

He served on the Board of Directors of MEGS House, a shelter for abused women and children, located in Greenwood, SC. He was a member of Rotary International, Chi Sigma Iota and Chi Upsilon (Clemson University Chapter), which is the Counseling Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa.

Mr. Powell was also an active member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Abbeville.

Survivors include 2 daughters, Cornelia Gardner and her husband, William, of Springdale, SC and Mary Northcutt and her husband, Brian, of Marietta, Georgia; a son, William Powell, Jr., of Ladson, SC; three grandchildren, Cecilia Gardner; Taylor Northcutt; and James Northcutt.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday Jan. 9, 2011 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home with the Rev. Mat Brewington officiating. The burial will follow in Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery with Full Military Honors. The family is at the home 303 Byrnes Ave. Abbeville, SC.

The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:00 PM Saturday evening.

Memorials in Memory of Bill may be made to MEGS House PO Box 3410 Greenwood, SC 29648 or to the American Heart Association 301 University Ridge Greenville, SC 29601.

Visitation

Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Saturday, January 8, 2011
5:30-7:00 PM

Service

Chandler Chapel, Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Sunday, January 9, 2011
2:00 PM

Interment

Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery
1987 Highway 72 E
Abbeville ,  SC  29620