Terry William Powell

Terry William Powell, of Louisville, passed away on October 23, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on December 28, 1947, in Louisville.

Terry graduated from Valley High School in 1965 and went on to live a life marked by service, hard work, faith, and devotion to his family. He served in the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1974 and later with the Kentucky Air National Guard from 1978 to 1995. During the Vietnam War, he was stationed in Thailand for four years, where he loaded weapons on B-52s and where he met his wife, Somjit. He also toured during Desert Storm. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the Air National Guard in 1995. In addition to his military career, Terry worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years before retiring.

He was known as a warm and friendly man who made others feel welcome wherever he went. Always willing to lend a helping hand, Terry lived out his faith through service and devotion to his church communities, Valley View Church and Cornerstone Community Church, where he volunteered. He was also part of the Keystone Group at Cornerstone Community Church and remained connected to the Valley High School Alumni Group.

Terry found joy in simple and meaningful pursuits. He enjoyed fishing and working on his model railroad sets, and he was a member of the Radcliff Model Railroad Association. He was especially proud to be Pawpaw to Alex and delighted in reading to him. Above all, he was deeply family focused and treasured time spent with those he loved most. He had a strong faith in God and believed death should be celebrated as a going home party rather than a going away event.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Somjit Powell; his daughters, Kimberly Powell and Shannon Powell (Andy); his grandson, Alexander Powell; his brothers, Johnny Powell (Doris) and Jimmy Powell (Pam); and his sisters, Denise Cinnamon and Janene Austin (David). 

He was preceded in death by his grandchild Charlie Powell; his granddaughter Terry Powell; his father, James Orville Powell; his mother, Betty May Powell; and his brother-in-law, John Cinnamon. Terry’s memory will be cherished by his family and by all who were blessed to know his kindness, generosity, and steady presence.

Visitation will be held on November 11, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, Southwest Louisville, 10304 Dixie Hwy, Louisville, KY 40272. A funeral service will be held there on November 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, 2501 North Dixie Boulevard, Fort Knox, KY 40121.