Dr. William Bedell Powell's Obituary
Dr. William Bedell Powell, 85, of Culpeper died Saturday, July 12, 2008 at UVA Medical Center.
He was born November 17, 1922 in Chancellor, VA to the late William T. and Ramona Musselman Powell. He graduated from the old Chancellor School and moved to Washington, D.C. where he worked in the Naval Gun Factory at the Washington Navy Yard. He volunteered for service in World War II, entering the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served aboard the U.S.S. Tortuga. Immediately following his military service he entered Georgetown University. Upon completion of his studies at Georgetown, he enrolled in the University Of Maryland Baltimore College Of Dental Surgery. He was a member of Psi Omega and Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1952.
Dr. William married Dr. Elizabeth Schneider and they soon moved to Arlington, Virginia. There they shared a thriving dental practice for 47 years. He retired to Culpeper, Virginia, where he enjoyed gardening, fishing and working with the Culpeper Hospital Foundation.
A man with a deep abiding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Dr. Powell was active in numerous churches during his life. He was raised at Tabernacle Methodist in Chancellor. During his bachelor years, he attended The Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C. He was married, raised his son and spent many years supporting the ministries at First Trinity Lutheran Church, also in Washington. In retirement, he became active in Reformation Lutheran Church in Culpeper, where he particularly enjoyed the monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfasts.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Dr. Elizabeth Ann Schneider Powell; their son, William Christian Powell and his wife Lilja of Culpeper; one sister Alberta Sullivan Olds of Fredericksburg, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Edna Wheat.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008 at First Trinity Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., with Pastor Brad Hales officiating.
Interment will follow in Rock Creek Church Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
A community remembrance is being planned in conjunction with the Culpeper Hospital Foundation and will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name the to any of these charitable organizations: Campus Crusade for Christ, Attn: Contributions, P.O. Box 628222, Orlando FL 32832-8222, www.ccci.org; Focus on the Family, Attn: Contributions, Colorado Springs, CO 80995, www.focusonthefamily.com; The Palliative Care Unit, UVA Hospital, Attn: Jill Laird-Sanders, P.O. Box 801454, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1454.
An online guestbook is available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.
What’s your fondest memory of Dr. William Bedell?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dr. William Bedell?
Share a story where Dr. William Bedell's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dr. William Bedell you’ll never forget.
How did Dr. William Bedell make you smile?