Stephen Powell

After experiencing a stroke a few days earlier, Steve Powell, age 75, died on March 1 at Ascension Borgess Hospital.

Steve was born in Kalamazoo on October 30, 1949, to Bob and Norma (Rice) Powell. He graduated from Galesburg-Augusta High School, where he was a key player on its state championship football teams of 1966/67 and 1967/68. He played under coach Bill Maskill, who was the winningest high school football coach in the state's history at the time of his retirement. Steve and Coach remained friends until Maskill's death.

Steve served in the Army, where he fought and was wounded in Viet Nam. After working in sales at Tire Engineers with Bill Maskill for a time, Steve joined his brother Randy in the construction and development company Powell Custom Homes, based in Mattawan. Randy supplied construction and crew leadership expertise while Steve turned out to be a shrewd, and tough, businessman. Major management decisions were made jointly and, thankfully, both their business and family relationships survived the process. The company was well respected in the area and is responsible for many fine neighborhoods and homes in the Mattawan and Lawton areas.

Steve and Randy looked after their employees, appreciated their professionalism, and truly cared about them. But that didn't stop Steve from sharing his opinion of their work, loudly and colorfully, collectively and individually, whenever the occasion arose. And he never hesitated to provide spirited performance encouragement to suppliers and subcontractors.

Anyone who got to know Steve soon realized his crusty exterior concealed a soft heart. He was a genuinely good person and quietly helped a lot of people over the years.

Steve was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Norma, and outstanding dog companion Griffy. He is survived by much-loved wife Patti Wolff, brother Randy, nieces Ashley (Andrés Bejarano) Powell-Bejarano and Chelsey Powell, nephew Michael Powell, and stepchildren Jessica (Chad) Moore and Cody Wolff. Steve also leaves behind his surrogate daughter Vicki Peterson, his friend from childhood, Mike Brodie, and his granddaughter Everly Moore, who was the love and light of his life.

Steve appreciated the help he received in the last few years in both his business and personal activities from employees and friends Angela French and Mike Moorian, as well as from Joe Alexander, a friend and former general manager of Powell Custom Homes.

If desired, memorial donations can be directed to Tunnels to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/) or a charity of your choice.

A gathering to celebrate Steve's life will be scheduled in the spring and announced here.