Billy Ray Powell

Billy Ray Powell was born July 29, 1954. His parents were Leeuna Nichols Powell and William "Bill" Powell. He was raised in Valdese, North Carolina, and in Berea, Ohio. He was a stellar athlete all through school, being offered football scholarships and running track in the Junior Olympics. He chose a military career in the Air Force.

Bill Powell was a highly decorated warrior. He joined the Air Force in 1972 and was picked to be on the Presidential Honor Guard assigned to the White House. He deployed to South East Asia as a Para Rescue/Combat Controller. He and his team secretly rescued black ops soldiers, sailors, marines surrounded by hostile forces and pilots shot down in territory American forces weren’t supposed to be in.

Midpoint in his career he was assigned to be the head of security/body guard for the NATO Commander of US Forces in Europe, during which time he saved several civilian lives at the Rome Airport during a bomb attack which destroyed the General’s armored car. Not long after the bombing, he was involved in a massive multi-vehicle pileup on the Autostrata freeway in Italy where he literally ripped doors off hinges with his bare hands and pulled several people from burning cars. He saved 18 lives that day and was awarded the Soldier’s Cross, the highest non-combat commendation given in the military.

The Command General appreciated his dedication and ability so much that he gave him the choice of any duty station in the world to finish his career. He retired in 1993 at Malmstrom AFB near Great Falls, Montana.

Throughout his military career, he also competed as a World Class athlete. He was the first American to win the title of Thailand National Kick-Boxing Champion in 1974. He was recognized by the Queen of Thailand as the Undisputed Muay Thai Kickboxing National Champion.

In 1976, he walked into the open tryouts for Atlanta Falcons. He made it through tryouts and even played two pre-season games. He was sure to be offered a contract. However, he received a knee injury during an Air Force vs Army intramural flag football game. The injury was sustained due to a hit from a huge linebacker nicknamed the Grape Ape.

Although it would be some years later, he eventually played professional football for NFL Europe.

He started bodybuilding after knee surgery and won Mr. Armed Forces, Mr. Montana, and 3rd place in Mr. USA. Then he went on to win several European championships in powerlifting. In 2019, he broke the world record for strict curls for the 3rd time. Now it’s 2024 he’s broken that record 9 times.

In November of 2023, he accepted his induction into the 100% RAW Powerlifting Hall of Fame at an awards gala in Virginia Beach.

He leaves to mourn his loving wife, Donna, and their large blended family:

Billy Ray Junior (girlfriend Brandi, son Jesse and daughter Koryn),

Brandy (daughters Kayla and Violet),

Tyler (wife Crystal, daughter Tiana, sons Tyler Junior and Talon),

Jim (wife Amethyst, sons Zach, Tallis, Samson, and daughter Brianna),

Casey (daughter Penny),

Joey (girlfriend Rose, daughter Evelyn),

Dustin (girlfriend Cynthia, daughter Isabella),

Dylan (fiancee Madison),

Beau (girlfriend Shayna)

Robin McGee (sister and husband Dean)

Darrell Powell (brother)

He had good friends from all walks of life and from all the seasons of his life. He was a man who was truly comfortable in his own skin. He was well loved and will be greatly missed by all.