COLUMBUS — Mr. Billy Eugene Powell, 86, of Buena Vista, Ga., passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017, at Gentiva Hospice in Columbus, Ga. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at Union United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Harris, the Rev. Joy Wilson and Clyde Powell officiating. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be David Wells, Roland Weaver, Russell Weaver, Gary Powell, Rick Toelle, Buddy Powell, and Julian Wells. Honorary pallbearers will be Wesley Weaver, Neal Womack, Junior Wells, Thomas Miller, Billy Mack Powell, Douglas Fincher, Wayne Jernigan Sr., Clyde Powell, Bobby Jones, Bob Jernigan, Bobby Brooks, Robert Moss, Clifford Dollar, Richard Monson, and Robert Holden Sr. The family will receive friends from   6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at the funeral home.

Mr. Powell was born Oct. 21, 1930, in Marion County, Ga., to the late Elijah Eugene “Bo” Powell and Myrtice Evelyn Upton Powell. Methodist by faith, he was a member of Union United Methodist Church where he had served as a trustee for 16 years. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. Mr. Powell was a self-employed farmer and loved antique tractors. He operated Big Chief Grist Mill where he made and sold his own corn meal. During his lifetime, Mr. Powell served on many boards including director of the Farm Credit board for 44 years, county commissioner for 12 years, five of which he was the chairman, the ASCS Committee, Farm Service Agency for 10 years, the Welfare board for two years, the Farm Bureau Peanut Advisory Board for two years, and Sumter Livestock for five years. He was currently on the Hospital Board where he had served for 15 years. Mr. Powell was a professional western square dance caller for many years. He kept busy by building ponds and dams and participating in Sowega Big Wheel Tractor pulls. Mr. Powell loved meeting new people and telling stories. He left a lasting impression on all he met.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Laverne A. Powell; two sons, Randy E. Powell and Todd and Deana Powell, all of Buena Vista, Ga.; three sisters, Betty and Richard Smith of Macon, Ga., Barbara and Douglas Fincher of Culloden, Ga., and Annelle Moore of Forsyth, Ga.; four grandchildren, Brad and Courtney Powell of Buena Vista, Ga., Kayla Powell of Leslie, Ga., Kasey Powell of Atlanta, Ga., and Kristy and Gavin Hicks of Americus, Ga.; two stepgrandchildren, Trent Miller of Thomasville, Ga., and Taner Miller of Buena Vista, Ga.; three great-grandchildren, Bo Powell, Kason Hawkins, and Clinton James Hicks; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union United Methodist Church, 1124 Ga. Highway 41 N., Buena Vista GA 31803, or Gentiva Hospice, 100 Brookstone Center Parkway, Columbus GA 31904. Please visit www.watsontantefuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register for Mr. Powell.

Watson-Tante Funeral Home of Buena Vista, Ga., is in charge of arrangements.