William E. Powers, 86, of Stratford, beloved husband for 61 years of Carole (Hagen) Powers, died February 6 in Bridgeport Hospital, following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born in Willenberg East Prussia, Germany, March 16, 1928, he was the son of the late Charlotte and Emil Pawelzik.

Mr Powers served during World War II as a sergeant second class in the US Army Air Force, and was involved with the Air Intelligence SV Organization and the Berlin Air Lift.

He received his bachelor of science degree in industrial arts education from Penn State and his master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport. After moving to Stratford, he began a 35-year career teaching industrial arts at Bunnell High School. Before his retirement, he purchased and operated with his son, Larry, Sugar Hill Service Center in Newtown, for 19 years.

Mr Powers was active as a master woodworker, involved with the Boy Scouts, a member of the Power Squadron and Pootatuck Yacht Club. He loved to fish and boat on Long Island Sound. He especially cherished his apple tree in the backyard and looked forward to the family Oktoberfest serving apple pies and strudels that his wife Carole would bake and serve.

The Powers loved the ocean view at their condominium in Pompano Beach, Fla., where they spent the last 18 winters.

In addition to his wife, his son Lawrence Powers of Westbrook; daughters Victoria, and her husband Glenn Mackbach, of Southbury and Kimberly, and husband Gary Wilhelm, of Milford; ten grandchildren, Jason, Andrew, and Jessica Visokay, Glenn and Samantha Mackbach, Lauren and Bryan Wilhelm, Amy (Wilhelm) St Germain, and her husband George; Sarah and William Powers; a sister, Cecelia Knob of Wilmington, Del.; and several nieces and nephews, and a great-grandchild on the way, survive Mr Powers. A brother, Walter, and a sister, Frieda, predeceased him.

Funeral services were  February 11. Interment with military honors will follow in Union Cemetery, Stratford.

To share an online condolence visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.