William David Powell
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William David Powell, 89, of Chinook Montana passed away February 9th, 2024 with his son Mike by his side. Bill was born September 20, 1934 on Cow Creek south of Chinook, MT to Jacob Clement Powell and Lucille McNeill Powell. Bill was the 11th child of the 13 infamous Powell clan. Bill was very proud of his upbringing and the lessons he learned as a child and throughout his younger years. He would tell everyone how tough his parents were raising 13 children while ranching, raising food, and making it through all the hardships of those years. Bill enjoyed talking about his childhood, like getting bucked off wild colts, having to ride miles to work at the Miller Brother's ranch, or skipping school to pick chokecherries with his siblings. Bill attended Rattlesnake School with his siblings and many of the neighbor kids out home. Bill decided in 7th grade he was going to quit school, or as he always said, "quit coloring" and go to work. Bill had many jobs growing up and seemed to always be willing to try anything at least once, but cowboying was where his heart always was.
Bill enlisted in the Navy, in the summer of 1952, with his nephew Medrick Morris. Bill was stationed in Kodiak as a clerk to begin, and then was dispatched to the USS Oriskany during the Korean War until 1955. After serving for 3 years, he returned home where he married Sharon O'Brien on September 16, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Chinook. After they were married, he worked on the oil rigs in Nashua and Chinook. Like most of the family, he moved on to road construction working for Baltrusch Construction and Zooks Brothers all over the state of Montana. Their son Mike was born in September of 1956 and their second son Jaydee joined them on April 1963.
Bill and Sharon bought the valley place where he raised hogs and put up hay. Bill spent the winter of 56 with his brother Teddy trapping beavers and spent the summers stacking bales. We don't believe there was anyone in the country who didn't go rabbit hunting at some point with Bill, it's amazing there are any left in the Bear Paws. They later sold the valley place and bought the ranch out south the "the old Asa DeBord place". After living there for years, they also bought the place on the TU bench that Mike and Garrett still run.
In 2006 the meat shop was moved from the ranch to Chinook and Windy Ridge Meats officially opened. This is where Bill continued spending a lot of his time cutting meat, cooking, and telling stories. Bill loved the ranch and the cowboy way of life. He was always singing, whether it was horseback or in the Clevland Bar with a broomstick. Bill was so proud of his family but especially his grandson Garrett. Bill took Garrett everywhere and tried to teach him everything from ranching to fishing and hunting. Bill also loved to spoil his great grandkids with sweets, hugs, and kisses.
Everyone that knew Bill or "Wild Bill" has so many great stories, Bill would say "I will tell you some of them but I'm not telling you all of them." He could spend hours over a pan of cinnamon rolls just chewing the fat and playing cards. One of his many life lessons he learned the hard way was never to buy a brand-new pickup. He sure had a heck of a time between the rocks and the trees, he never seemed to get it home in one piece. Bill lived his life the way he wanted, never missing a moment to enjoy everything and everyone around him.
We all know Bill is the lucky one. He is in a far better place, living his life horseback and whistling along the sage brush like he missed so much... playing long games of cribbage and pinochle with all his family and friends.... free from the pain and suffering aaaand of course free from the FWP, BLM, and Joe Biden. As Bill always said when parting ways "Catch ya down the trail"
Bill is survived by his wife Sharon Powell of 68 yrs, sons Michael Powell of Chinook, Jaydee (Joann) Powell of Chinook, siblings Avis Groseclose of Apachee Junction AZ, Margie Liedle of Anaconda MT, Louella Brownlee of Chinook, Teddy Powell of Chinook, grandson Garrett Powell (Cassie Johnson) of Chinook, great grandchildren Garrisen, Gracie Pearl, and one on the way.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 24th at 11:00 AM at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Chinook MT with Military Honors. A luncheon will follow the services. Bill's ashes will be spread at a later time this spring/summer out South.
Memorial donations can be made in honor of Bill Powell of Windy Ridge Meats to the University of Montana Butcher program..
