William Stevens Powell was born in Johnston County, North Carolina, in 1919. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNC. In between, he served for five years in the US Army during World War II.

In his early years at the university he worked as a researcher and curator. He went on to teach history at UNC for 13 years before retiring as professor emeritus in 1986.

William Powell, photo via NC Literary Hall of Fame.

William Powell, photo via NC Literary Hall of Fame.

Throughout his long career he chronicled the history of North Carolina, publishing more than 100 books on the topic, including the Encyclopedia of North Carolina.

He received the North Carolina Award for Literature in 2000, and was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2008.

Powell was 95 when he passed away last week. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, three children and 11 grandchildren. The family is planning a private service.

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