Shifty Powers
Darrell "Shifty" Powers
Darrell "Shifty" Powers, 86, of Shifty Lane, Clinchco, Va., passed away Wednesday June 17, 2009 at Wellmont Regional Hospital, Bristol, Tenn., after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was a charter member of Clinchco Missionary Baptist Church. Shifty was a veteran of World War II, having served in the 101st Airborne, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was a member of the famed Easy Company whose exploits received worldwide recognition in "Band of Brothers," a book by historian Stephen Ambrose, and miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg. Shifty dropped behind enemy lines in Normanday on D-Day. He also participated in all of Easy Company's battles including Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge, and the capture of Hitler's Eagles Nest.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents Barnum and Audrey Colley Powers; brothers, James, Barnum and Frank Powers; and a great-grandson Gavin Johnson.
Survivors include his loving wife of sixty years, Dorothy; son, Wayne (Sandy) Powers of Clinchco, Va., daughter, Margo (Seldon) Johnson of Bristol, Va., sister, Gaynell (Clair) Sykes of Roanoke,Va.; sisters-in-law, Ann Powers of Clintwood Va., Betty Powers of Greenville, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Clay (Kayla) Powers, Dove Powers, Jake (Dawnyale) Johnson and Luke (Amanda) Johnson; two great-grandchildren, Caden Powers and Cooper Powers; several nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and nephews; and special family friends the Robinettes, Carol, David and Tammy and Suzanne Axtell.
Pallbearers will be Jake Johnson, Luke Johnson, Clay Powers, David Robinette, Johnny Sykes, Mike Strouth and John Wesley Hawkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Sutherland, Claire Sykes, Tim Thomas, Wayne "Pappy" McCowan, Shang-Hi Nichols and Mickey Taylor.
The family will receive friends on Friday June 19, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., followed with a song service at 7:30 in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, Clintwood Va. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday June 20, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Randy Moore officiating. Graveside services with Military Honors will be conducted by Francis Marion VFW post 4667 at Temple Hill Cemetery.
Online email condolences may be made at mullinsfuneralhome1@verizon.net.
Mullins Funeral Home and staff are serving the Powers Family.
I am blessed to have met this man. Shaking his hand and sharing some time is something I will never forget. The Band of Brothers grows smaller. Honor them.
posted by Carl Kilo at 1:08:00 AM
Comments on "Shifty Powers"
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M/SGT (R) Gilbert Berg said ... (9:25 PM) :
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tom fisher USAR (R0 Cheboygan MI said ... (7:24 PM) :
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Nan-Nan said ... (2:43 PM) :
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PatO said ... (3:59 PM) :
post a commentRIP Old Soldier..
M/SGT (R) Gilbert Berg
Orlando, Fl
The world became a better place because of you. We lost a hero. I can't begin to explain the gratitude I have for soldiers like Shifty. They all laid it on the line for our great country. Currahee!!! RIP Shifty!
Rest in Peace fallen soldier. Your life is an example for all. may you soar with all the angels in Heaven!
GOd Bless and thanks you for your service, I hope that this country can maintain the values that you fought for....
Thank you for mine and my family's freedom> You will never be forgotten as the greatest generation.RIP Shifty!
Tom Fisher
Cheboygan MI
US Army retired
I met you through the series "Band of Brothers", and the interviews. I was impressed the most by your absolute humility. You were the best at what you did, being a sharpshooter. You had a gift, a steady hand, a keen eye. It was a job to be done for your country. It was not about you, and you knew that. You served for me and mine before we were ever born. Thank you for my freedom, sir. And thank you for your wonderful example of what an American soldier ought to be. Your family and our country has much to proud of because of you. You are missed. Our loss is truly Heaven's gain.
Now this is a true MAN that deserves honor and national attention. Not the flaky weirdos that get nationally televised memorials at the Staples Center and senseless press that clogs our television sets for weeks. Rest in peace, Soldier. Thank you for your service.