Bill Thomas Powell

William Thomas Powell, 78, of Doraville, Georgia, peacefully passed into the arms of His Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 2.  Betty, his wife, and honorary nephew W. Charles Rorabaugh were there with him.

Bill was born on June 28, 1944, in Birmingham, AL to the late Elwood A. and Gladys L. Powell. 

Bill moved to Atlanta in 1962 to work for Coca-Cola.  He was also employed by Atlanta Baptist Assembly as assistant director; the job training Workshop Program for Special Needs adults as county director; Williams Drywall; and Georgetown Condominiums.  During his retirement, in addition to gardening and working on his vehicles, he served as a DeKalb County school crossing guard for about 12 years.

Bill and Betty have been members of First Baptist Church Atlanta for 10 years, and they were members of North Peachtree Baptist Church over 40 years.  At North Peachtree, Bill taught the older men’s Sunday School class for several years.  They called it “the Sunday School class right before heaven.”   He also served as the usher in the balcony, where he gave a warm welcome to all. 

An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed fishing with his friends throughout his life.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Brinkerhoff Powell; son William; daughter Janet; granddaughters Deana and Heather; grandson Keelan; and his uncle Reverend W.T. and lovely aunt D.J. Ligon of Brunswick, GA.  He is also survived by seven nieces, five nephews, and many close friends.

Bill’s memorial service will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022, at Fischer Funeral Care, 3742 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA  30341, at 12:30 pm.  Rev. Bobby Gastley will officiate.  Prior to the service, the family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon.  A committal service will follow at 3:00 pm at North Atlanta Memorial Park, 5188 Winters Chapel Road, Atlanta, GA 30360.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Operation Christmas Child (Christmas shoebox ministry, www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ways-to-give) or The Gideons International (distributor of complimentary Bibles, www.gideons.org/donate). 

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