Powers William "Bill"

William “Bill” B. Powers

August 12, 1966 – April 18, 2025

William “Bill” Powers, age 58, of Traverse City, passed away on April 18, 2025. Born on August 12, 1966, in Traverse City, he spent most of his life in the area he loved, with a few memorable chapters living and working on Mackinac Island and enjoying the warmth of South Florida for a few years.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Ann Powers, who selflessly filled the role of both mother and father throughout his life, and by his infant brother, David Powers.

As the oldest son, Bill helped his mother shoulder some of the responsibility when the older siblings moved out. When she went to Bingo, Bill would babysit his baby brother, John—a task he took seriously (but not without some good-natured mischief). When the siblings were all at home while their mom was working, it wasn’t unusual for sibling rivalries to break out, with Bill and John often caught in the middle. Choosing sides between their sisters became a regular occurrence, and Bill—more often than not—stuck with Cindy. Those early days forged strong, lasting bonds between the Powers siblings.

Some of Bill’s happiest moments were spent on the water, floating peacefully on his pontoon boat. He had a deep love for Northern Michigan’s lakes—especially Long Lake, which always held a special place in his heart. As a kid, he and his siblings would walk or bike to the lake, spending long, mischievous summer days at the dairy bar.

He was a spirited and competitive card player who never turned down a good game of euchre, pitch, or poker. Bill inherited his love for gambling from his mom and was always ready for a spontaneous casino trip with her and his sister Therese. He also loved tagging along with Cindy to Las Vegas—especially if he’d racked up enough points for a discounted flight.

A passionate Detroit sports fan, Bill never liked to miss a Tigers, Red Wings, or—most especially—a Lions game. He was also a die-hard University of Michigan football fan who cheered on the Wolverines with his brother John. Through the many ups and frequent downs, he stayed committed. Most games involved animated commentary—especially about “paid-off refs,” bad calls, or what he believed was blatant favoritism.

Though he never had children of his own, Bill’s heart belonged to his two dogs, Roxy and Zephyr, who he loved like family. He and his sister Cindy were often seen walking the trails together with his loyal dogs by his side. Both dogs have since passed, and there’s comfort in imagining Bill reunited with his beloved companions—likely exploring new trails together once more.

Bill will be deeply missed by his sisters, Cindy Conquest and Therese Curto (Jim), and his brother, John Powers. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a wide circle of friends whose lives were touched by his unmistakable presence.

Bill was known for his dry sense of humor, his strong and unapologetic political opinions, and his fiercely competitive streak—especially when games were involved. He often joked that he liked dogs more than people, and those who knew him best would agree there was some truth in that. But if you were lucky enough to be part of his world, you knew you had a loyal, genuine, and deeply caring man in your corner.

Bill’s legacy is one of laughter, loyalty, and lake days. His memory will float on with us like the gentle wake of his pontoon boat—steady, lasting, and never far from the shore. A celebration of life is being planned for June 7th. We will have more details later.