Dr William George Powers

He led a full life, filled with joy and happiness and love. Mom has always been the center of his life and they have had a wonderful marriage of 57 years. He grew up in a steel mill town, Rock Falls, IL. He proudly served in the Marines, went to college, and received his PhD. As a professor he found his joy in life: helping others. He was an avid publisher in academia, co-authoring a textbook, publishing articles, and often presenting at annual communication and listening conventions both in the US as well as internationally, held full professor positions at several universities, ending up as chairman of the speech department at Texas Christian University before retirement. He wrote a play, authored music, and the occasional bit of poetry. He loved bowling as it gave him the chance to meet so many new people and co-authored a bowling self help series. He coached me for many years when I played ice hockey and continued to coach at North Texas State University (now UNT).

He touched many lives over the years through teaching, serving on councils, volunteer work, and as a communications consultant. The latter turned into the family business, Concept Keys, of which he was very proud. Through the business he was able to help people from all walks of life, from large aerospace companies to furniture stores to non-profits for children to the classroom. He always wanted to help people become better communicators and listeners.

As a father he was the best. Always there for me with a helping hand or a big smile to brighten my day. Many times in my life I've heard the saying "there are people who run from the fire and there are people who run into the fire." Whenever I do, I always think of him. As a young child, the house across the street blew up from a gas leak. I can still remember being in the living room when the explosion rocked our house and seeing him immediately throw on his boots and run out of the house -- literally into the fire. He and another neighbor saved a young lady that day from the remains of that burning house. But he never boasted or talked about what happened (unless asked), it was just natural to him, it was just who he was -- as he was quoted in an interview "it was as natural as saying please and thank you, which is the way I was raised". I've always looked to him as a role model and I always will. Looking back on his life now I see so much I've done and accomplished, the very work I strive to do myself, and it parallels his life and the way he lived it. I owe everything I am to my family... "it's just how I was raised." So, thank you Dad.

A memorial service for William will be held Sunday, February 20, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Laurel Land FH - Ft Worth, 7100 CROWLEY RD, FORT WORTH, TX 76134, followed by a reception from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.