Celebrating the life of Alumni Board member Chris Powers '73

POWERS, Christopher Bruce, age 65, died suddenly on December 28, 2016, in his wife Nora's arms, while watching his beloved Northwestern Wildcats win the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York City. Chris was born to Stewart and Mary Catherine (Micki) Powers in Richmond, Va. He attended Benedictine College Preparatory ('69) and graduated from William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. ('73) playing basketball at both schools. He went on to earn a Master's in Accounting from VCU in Richmond and pursued a 40-plus year career in accounting, including 27 years as a partner at Miller Cooper in Deerfield, Illinois. He served on several boards throughout his career and was Treasurer of the William & Mary Alumni Association at the time of his death. Chris had a lifelong love of learning and obtained an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in the evening program. At age 60, he retired to pursue his passion of pastoral work with a focus on assisting incarcerated youth. In his retirement, Chris went on to complete a Masters in Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. He is survived by his wife, Nora Ellin Powers; his former wife, Susan Benton; his four sons, Luke (Cynthia) Powers, Edwin Powers, Jackson Powers and Andrew (Hilary) O'Connor; granddaughter, Heidi Powers; his siblings, Greg Powers (Becky), Gary Powers (Christie), Lisa (Robert), Rock; and his dog, Henry. Chris was a beautiful spirit inside and out and while his sudden death leaves us all heartbroken, his gift to the world was showing others how to live a life of service and to treat all with dignity.

A gathering of friends and family will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, with a wake service at 6 p.m. at Bliley's-Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Ave. in Richmond. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 5, at 11 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 6006 Three Chopt Rd., Richmond. A burial service will be held on Thursday, January 5, at 2:30 p.m., at Williamsburg Memorial Park, 130 King William Dr., Williamsburg, Va. Please direct any donations in memory of Chris to the William & Mary Alumni Association, P.O. Box 2100, Williamsburg, Va. 23187-2100 or online here.