William Frank Powell

William Frank Powell, 93, of Nampa, went to be with his Lord following a long illness. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 29th at the Canyon Hill Church of the Nazarene, 903 N. Michigan Ave., Caldwell, ID. Arrangements are under the direction of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, 624 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID. 459-0833. Frank was the 7th of 10 children born to Curtis and Pearl Powell in Ashland, Ohio. A tragic fire in the family home killed his parents and 2 siblings, when he was 10 years old. The seeds of determination, faith in God, music, love for others, and self-discipline had been planted early, allowing him to achieve beyond anyone could imagine. On June 20, 1943, Frank married his high school sweetheart, Carol Bauman. Over and over he declared through the 55 years they were married that he never would have made it without her. When Carol died in 1998, he was in a “fog of grief,” but waded through it. World War II came and “Bill Powell” found himself in the Army serving in the European Theater. Following 17 months in the hospital in France and the US, he joined his older brother at Pasadena College in Pasadena, CA. He had struggled through early education with no family to support him, but blossomed into an honor student. After earning his A.B. he added an alphabet soup of degrees: M.S., M.A., M.Ed., S.T.D. and PhD. Other graduate studies followed, but he was becoming involved in exponential areas of ministry. His studies were not to “show off,” but to enable him to serve others. In 1953 he became an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene, as well as a Commissioned Evangelist and Song Evangelist. He held over 700 revival meeting, 50 Camp Meetings, pastored churches full time and part-time, served multiple chaplaincies, established counseling centers and counseled in private practice over 50 years. Frank assisted in the development of Trinity First Church of the Nazarene, Los Angeles, CA.; Norwalk Church of the Nazarene and Christian Day School (K-8); Spanish Church of the Nazarene, Baldwin Park, CA. (and several sister churches). In 2004 Frank married Betty Frampton, whom he had actually known in college. She was also an ordained Elder and had served as a missionary to the American Indians. Together they received the Distinguished Service Award for over 100 years of service to the Church of the Nazarene. Betty died in 2009. Frank’s craftsmanship and artistry was unsurpassed in binding books and Bibles from 1946 to 2010. Many learned from him how involved and complicated this skill was. They learned more than just binding books, however. Lives were changed! Everyone Frank met felt warmed by his presence and reassured that they were important. Little witticisms, sharing his hobbies of growing and developing irises and other plants, teaching by creating curiosity, singing with his strong, baritone voice, and reaching out to anyone in need endeared him to tens of thousands, even those caring for him in his last years at Streamside Assisted Living. One caregiver called him “Sunshine,” and said it had been a joy to care for him. Treasure Valley Hospice provided excellent care as well. The gospel of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ was his theme and example. On a scrap of paper he penned, “No man who fully obeyed God was disappointed.” He also wrote, “After the trials comes the triumph.” His faith kept him solid while he lived a complex and often difficult life. He was determined to triumph, not just overcome. Frank is survived by 4 children: Ruth (Dan) Yancey, Joy (Peter) Sloan, Barbara Powell, and William Franklin Powell; 6 grandchildren: Christina (Kevin) Barker, John (Tracy) Yancey, Janeen (Jerome) Lung, Hans (Vickie) DeHamer, Brynn and Fiona Powell; 5 great-grandchildren: David, Matthew, Alison (Nate) Rex, and Andrew Silva, Valentine Lung, Tabitha and Brandon Yancey. Many nieces and nephews and members of blended families are still living, but the rest of the family is rejoicing in Heaven. It has been said that no man is so perfect as in his job resume or obituary, but this true gentleman and scholar aimed high and made his mark on society. Dad’s sometimes imperfect, but always loving ways, helped shape us into the people we are today. We will miss you unimaginably Daddy, “teaching” Grandpa, Great G-Pa, Uncle Frank, brother-in-law, and friend. In the early ‘70s he penned, “The closer the end of the day, the longer the shadow. May my influence grow the older I become!” His prayer was answered. Memorials may be sent to Ruth Yancey, 304 S. Olive St., Nampa, ID, 83686, for the Vida Nueva Spanish Nazarene Church in Nampa, ID. Service Information