Kenneth Wayne Powell

Kenneth Wayne Powell, Sr., a lifelong resident of Halifax County, died peacefully at his home on January 9, 2017.   Born in the Rodden community on July 3, 1925, he was the son of the late Walter Leonard Powell and Earle Clements Botts.  He was married for 60 years to Josephine Tucker Powell of Halifax who preceded him in death.  His sister Edna Powell Dodd also predeceased him. He is survived by his daughter Katherine Powell Heller (John) of Atlanta GA and his son Kenneth Wayne Powell Jr. (Junko) of Ann Arbor MI.  Also surviving are three granddaughters, Laura Flynn George (Jamie) and Hannah Carrington Heller of Atlanta and Emma Kondo Powell of Ann Arbor.   After graduation from high school in Halifax, Kenneth entered military service for his country and was part of the 15th Air Force, 449th bomb group stationed in Grottaglie, Italy from early 1944 to the end of World War II in May of 1945.   He completed 43 combat missions as a ball turret gunner in a B-24 in the European theater.  He was awarded the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.   Upon returning to the USA, Kenneth briefly attended Richmond Polytechnic Institute in Richmond VA to study commercial art but decided to return to his hometown and join his father in the family business.    He was a second generation owner and manager of Powell Funeral Home in South Boston where he worked for over 60 years and spent the majority of his life helping those in need as a compassionate rural funeral director.  A more devoted husband, proud father and humble, selfless man would be hard to find.   A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 14, at 2:00 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Halifax with Father Cleon Ross officiating.  Burial with military rites will follow immediately in the church cemetery.   The family will receive friends at the Powell home, 1047 Mountain Road, after the funeral and also Friday evening at Powell Funeral Home between the hours of 7 and 9 pm.   Kenneth was a lifelong supporter of Patrick Henry Boys Home (patrickhenry.org) and of St. John’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 905, Halifax VA 24558. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to these organizations.   Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com.   Arrangements are by: Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.