Orville Wally Powell

Orville Wally Powell, 88, of Durham, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025. He was born on March 29, 1936 in Jackson County, Kentucky to the late Thomas and Doll Powell.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his son, David Michael Powell; 2 brothers and 3 sisters.

Mr. Powell loved his family and community. He served as City Manager in Winston-Salem, NC, Gainesville, FL and Durham, NC. He then began a new career as a Professor at Indiana University School of Public & Environmental Affairs enjoying his students for 18 years.

After his retirement Orville and Dianne moved to Kure Beach, NC where they enjoyed their beach house and community. 

Mr. Powell was a licensed Pilot who loved to fly his small engine plane. He loved to travel, but most of all his passion was teaching and fighting for environmental and civil rights. He was a man who never met a stranger and always tried to make people smile. He was proud of Durham and played a major role in getting the Durham Bulls’ new ballpark built. 

He was also instrumental in starting the Sister Cities program in Durham. He traveled to Russia, New Zealand and other countries taking groups to share their knowledge. He took pleasure in hosting numerous international visitors from various countries. 

Orville will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and a strong leader with a compassionate heart and creative mind. He will be truly missed by the many lives he inspired and touched.

Mr. Powell is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Dianne L. Powell; daughter, Sandy Powell; daughter-in-law, Pilar Powell; grandchildren, Christine Sparks (Devin), Mason Powell, Campbelle “Belle” Powell, Marek Powell and Janey Phelps; great grandchildren, Caylee Bertolette (Sparks), Gracelynn Sparks, Andrew Sparks, Audrey McGee, David Powell and many loving family members and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701. Pastor Mindy Douglas and Pastor Joe Harvard will officiate.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Orville’s name to the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Bloomington’s Greater Good Internship Fund https://tinyurl.com/IU-Greater-Good or Keep Durham Beautiful https://keepdurhambeautiful.networkforgood.com/