Dr. William Ernest Powell, Jr.Mars Hill - Dr. William Ernest Powell Jr. 89, of Mars Hill passed away on January 31, 2017 after a lengthy illness. Dr. Powell was born on October 27, 1927 in Kingstree, SC. to William Ernest Powell and Laura Lynn Harris Powell. Shortly after his birth they moved to Asheville, NC. He graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA in 1950. He then served as a medical intern with the U.S. Navy. In 1951 he went to Duke University Hospital and completed his residency in anesthesiology. There he met his wife, Frances Cobb, who was a nursing student at the time. They were married on November 1, 1952 in Cherryville, NC. In July of 1952 he joined Dr. Otis Duck in Medical practice in Mars Hill, NC. He practiced medicine full-time in Mars Hill until 1992. He continued practicing on a part-time basis for several more years. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, William E. Powell III, son-in-law Mike Evans, and brother, Charles H. Powell MD. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Frances C. Powell; a son Allen Powell (wife Denise); a daughter, Carol Evans; grandchildren Katie Evans Rice (husband Brandon), Peyton Powell (boyfriend Tanner Franklin) and Ben Powell and a great-grand child Molly Rice.A celebration of his life will be held at Bright Hope Laurel Methodist Church on Saturday, February 4th at 1:00 pm with a reception following. The family would like to thank Hospice of Madison County and Nick Sanders, Jordan Patterson and DaJon Montague for their tireless efforts in caring for our husband and father.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Hospice of Madison County, 590 Medical Park Drive, Marshall, NC 28753 or Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church, 271 Laurel Valley Rd., Mars Hill, NC 28754.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org