William Cornell “Billy” Powell died March 3, 2026, at his home in Dresden, Tennessee, surrounded by his

wife Wanda Garner Powell and his daughters, Gena Rae Harris and Elizabeth Lewis Anderson and his

sons-in-law.

Billy was born in Weakley County August 10, 1940, to Howard Wyatt “Jack” Powell and Winnie Cornell

Powell. He lived in Dresden his entire life. He graduated from Dresden High School in 1958, where he

was a Beta Club member and played football, basketball, and baseball. He served as captain of football

team and basketball team and was elected “Best All Around” in Who’s Who by his classmates. Billy and

Wanda were married October 26, 1963, and had two daughters: Gena and Elizabeth. Billy worked for

the local telephone company for forty-two years and served in the Tennessee National Guard for thirty-

three years, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major.

Billy was raised in The First Methodist Church, Dresden, and later became an active and committed

member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Dresden, where he was ordained a deacon February 1, 1981. Billy

believed that Jesus saves, that God should be at the head of his life, and that he should be an example of

his faith. He was a devoted family man to the depth of his being and a man with life-long friends and

new friends made in his retirement. Many will remember Billy for his wit and joking around.

Billy was a forever fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Tennessee Vols. Two of his great pleasures was

when his entire family could enjoy games together in St. Louis and spend a week vacationing at the Gulf.

He enjoyed music of every genre but especially loved the timeless sounds of the 1950’s.

Billy stayed connected to his love of sports by playing softball with friends for at least twenty-five years

after graduating high school, by refereeing basketball, serving as Dresden Lions Booster Club President,

and participating in the Iris Festival runs. He enjoyed watching his girls and his granddaughters and his

grandson play various sports. Even in his last days, he was watching his grandson Garner play UTM

baseball on TV.

Survivors include his wife Wanda of Dresden, his two daughters and sons-in-law, Gena and Terry Harris,

Dresden, and Elizabeth and Doug Anderson, Martin; his four grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth (Spencer)

Smith of Memphis, Katie Marie Stafford of Dresden; Garner Douglas Anderson and Tessa Rae Anderson

of Martin. He is also survived by many beloved in-laws and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Winnie Powell; his brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy

and Margaret Powell, and his in-laws, Lewis and Mary Garner. Services will be held at Oak Grove Baptist

Church, 1011 Oak Grove Road, Dresden, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Visitation will begin at 12 Noon and

funeral service will be at 4pm. Burial will be at Sunset Cemetery, Dresden.

Pallbearers will be Terry Harris, Doug Anderson, Garner Anderson, Spencer Smith, Howard Powell, and David

Powell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Clarence Collins, Robert Bates, Lloyd Essary, Charles Pettit, Larry Levister,

Jimmy Westbrook, Dick Hutcherson, Kerry Adams, Charles Breeden, Gerald Parham, Kenneth Tidwell, and Kenneth

Gatewood.

The family requests that memorials be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, Dresden.