Edwin “Ed” Lee Powell

Date of Death: May 25, 2021

All services will be private

Edwin Lee Powell, 94, of Winchester, VA passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Ed was born in 1927 in Ancon, PCZ (Panama Canal Zone) to the late Newman Minnich Powell and Ruth Wilson Powell. At the age of 6, he played in his first violin recital and continued to play the violin with the Wheeling Symphony. Extremely bright and inquisitive, Ed skipped two grades and enrolled in Ohio University at the age 16 where he studied math and engineering. As soon as he turned 18, he joined the US Navy to serve his country through the end of WWII. He was discharged a year after the war as an Electricians Technician’s Mate 2nd Class.

Ed worked as a contract engineer which took him all over the United States and overseas. Some of the projects he helped plan and supervise included the Pascagoula Mississippi Shipyard, the Sprint Missile Facility in North Dakota, working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to supervise and maintain US Postal Services buildings, canals and military constructions through Watervliet Arsenal in New York, the construction of Eisenhower Hall at West Point and, finally, head of Value Engineering for US Middle Eastern Projects, the position from which he retired in 1994.

Of all the positions he held, he was most proud of his time working with NASA and Werner Von Braun at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama building rocket test stands in the push to get the first man on the moon.

Ed had a wonderful life full of unique experiences that he would happily regale his family and friends with, like the time he was invited by Nat King Cole to sing Mona Lisa with him during a practice session at a nightclub in the Poconos; or the time he got to test drive the first turbo-engine at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and many more. He remembered pretty much everything he ever read and could tell you how almost anything worked. If he did not know something, he would research it and figure it out. His only real vices were ice-cream, donuts, chocolate, coffee, and a lively debate! In addition to his many adventures, he was a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Organization, the Winchester Moose Lodge and had been a long-time member of the Winchester/Frederick County Conservation Club.

Ed married his first wife, Norma Luccioni Powell, in 1947 and enjoyed 47 happy years of marriage until her untimely death in 1995. He then married Brenda Lou Edmonson and was blessed with an additional 25 years in a happy marriage.

Ed, Dad, Grandpa, you will be sorely missed.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, his 1st wife, Norma; son, Evan Powell; brothers: Newman Powell and Wallace Powell; sister: Ruth Krohmer; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

Surviving with his wife, Brenda, are children, David Powell (Joyce), Steven Powell, Laurie Powell, Susan Braithwaite (Neil), Christopher Powell, and Dawn Michelle Kelly (Robert), along with 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and his sister, Patricia Powell.

Services for Ed will be private.

Brenda Powell

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Edwin Lee Powell, 94, of Winchester, VA passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Ed was born in 1927 in Ancon, PCZ (Panama Canal Zone) to the late Newman Minnich Powell and Ruth Wilson Powell. At the age of 6, he played in his first violin recital and continued to playContinue Reading

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We have loved our time with Ed who always had kind and special words of encouragement, praise, and advise for us. He loved our “punifunication” play on words - who could out do who! He loved challenging us with questions (which he had already had answers for) just to see what differences of opinions we could share. He was the love my sister prayed for and he was so faithful to her and theirentire family. He was a proud man who was so humble and loving that you could easily miss just how brilliant he truly was. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Ava, Danny and family

He always had the biggest smile on his face when we saw him and was excited to share all of his wonderful stories. He was such a special person in all of our lives and we miss and love him so deeply. ❤️

I know your daughter Laurie loved you and will miss you dearly. May you rest in peace in the arms of of God.

My deepest condolences to your family. I worked with Mr. Powell at the Corps of Engineers. I loved his stories. He will be missed.

Heaven gained another angel to watch over us. Thank you Ed Powell (dad) for being a wonderful grandpa to my kids but most of all thank you for loving my mom. You treated her like a queen. Thank you for being there through some of the darkest times in my life, for being one of my biggest advocates and for stepping into the roll of a father figure to me. I will forever be grateful for your wisdom, encouragement and just being proud of me when I couldn’t be proud of myself. May you forever rest peacefully now. You will long be remembered more than we ever let on.

Peace of mind is a call away. We're here when you need us most.

What can I say about my father-in-law Ed of 40 years other than I had great respect and love for the man and will miss him greatly. He was always available to help me on a project or answer any questions I had – literally on any subject. I learned much from Ed over the years and always enjoyed the many lively conversations and debates. He was always encouraging and usually had sound advice - no matter what crazy idea I came up with. I really enjoyed listening to his many life stories and history lessons, his reciting of obscure poems and his singing along to his favorite songs. All-in-all, I will just miss knowing Ed’s no longer with us or available to talk with, consult on any projects, answer any questions I may have and most importantly, share some dark chocolate or a bowl of ice cream (or both) together. Rest in peace Ed.

I cried a tear, you wiped it dry. But my tears won’t dry right now. I love you my sweet, wonderful husband. Rest peacefully.

Dad, you were like a rock in my life -- always there -- an anchor -- a guiding light. You were always ready to listen, to give sage advice, to share your wonderful wit and wisdom. You taught me to question everything, to defend my position, and to not just complain, but take action. You encouraged me on my path, but also wisely taught me to stop and assess my progress every now and then. You were a loving father and a good teacher. I only hope I can carry on as well as you did. I already miss you terribly and love you forever. Your daughter, Susan
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