Walter Powell, Sr.

Obituary of Walter Gassaway Powell, Sr.

Walter Gassaway Powell Sr, 80, passed away at home surrounded by friends and family on February 16, 2019. He was born August 3, 1938, in Columbia, the son of Edwin T. Powell and Susan M. Gassaway. After graduating from Columbia High School in 1956, he decided his calling in life was law enforcement. He joined Richland County Sheriff’s Department as a Deputy Sheriff at age 18. In 1960, he began his distinguished SLED career with the bloodhound tracking team, eventually retiring in 1996 as a Captain over several units. He remained a commissioned agent until his passing.

He served with the SC Army National Guard, in the 751st Ordnance Battalion and was a 1968 graduate of the 81st Session of the FBI National Academy.

He was a former deacon in the Eastminster Presbyterian Church, a member of the Masonic Lodge (#370), the Fraternal Order of Police, and was a founding board member of ROCIC.

In 1963, he married the love of his life, Lella Annette Todd, an R.N. with Dorn’s V.A. Hospital. Their life together was one dedicated to family and civil service.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and a brother Edwin T. Powell Jr. He is survived by his two sons, Walter G. Powell Jr. and Richard K. Hutto (Martha); a daughter, S. Quinn McDaniels (Rob), all of Mt. Pleasant; and eight grandsons, Walter G. Powell III, Jay Powell, Chase Owens, Julian McDaniels, Andrew Hutto (Lina), Mattox Hutto, Max Blackman, and Blair Smith (Paige); and a great-granddaughter, Ryker Smith.

A memorial service conducted by Rev. Dr. Eric Skidmore will be held at 2 P.M. on Sunday, February 24 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road in Columbia with a reception to follow in the Adult Reception Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy for SC, 2501 Heyward St, Columbia, SC, 29205.

Sunday
24
February

Memorial Service

2:00 pm
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Eastminster Presbyterian Church
3200 Trenholm Road
Columbia , South Carolina, United States
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