William Emmett Powell

Bill Powell was born in Colorado Springs on August 9, 1941, to Joseph and Alma Powell. He grew up in Colorado Springs and graduated from Palmer High School in 1959. Bill and his older brothers, Gordon and Bob, were a tight-knit trio whose childhood adventures rivaled those of Huck Finn. He graduated as a member of Phi Beta Kappa with his bachelor's degree in English from Colorado College and also completed ROTC at the top of his class in 1963. He joined the US Army as an officer and served in Germany and Vietnam.

After his military service, Bill obtained his Master's degree in English from CU Boulder. He then built a career in education, serving as the assistant superintendent in Darlington, South Carolina, and as a superintendent in Walden, Eaton, and Strasburg, Colorado. He retired to Gunnison in 2004, and because of his continued passion for students and educators, he joined the Gunnison Watershed School Board from 2007 to 2015. He also played an integral role in acquiring funding to renovate the schools in the district. Bill always had the students and educators at the heart of his efforts and was a very generous soul.

During his free time, he enjoyed reading, painting, astronomy, fishing, hunting, crawdadding, and hiking with his family. He was a life-long learner and an enthusiastic student of life.

Bill died peacefully in Aurora, Colorado, on February 15, 2024, at the age of 82.He is survived by his wife, Kathie Powell, and their two sons, John and Will; his son, Roger Powell (Ani); and Roger's mom, Phyllis. He will be buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest near his father. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please consider making a donation to the Gunnison Valley Education Foundation in his memory.