Walter Eugene Powell (April 25, 1931 – January 17, 2020) was an American educator and politician of the Republican party who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1971 to 1975.

Walter E. Powell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio
In office
January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1975
Preceded byBuz Lukens
Succeeded byTom Kindness
Constituency24th district (1971–1973)
8th district (1973–1975)
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 4th district
In office
January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1971
Preceded byInaugural holder
Succeeded byBuz Lukens
Personal details
Born(1931-04-25)April 25, 1931
Hamilton, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJanuary 17, 2020(2020-01-17) (aged 88)
Hamilton, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBobbi Mae (m. 1952 - her death)
Children
  • Loren David Powell
  • Judge Stephen W Powell
Alma materMiami University
Heidelberg University (Ohio)
University of Cincinnati
OccupationEducator, lawyer

Life and career

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Powell was born in Hamilton, Ohio, the son of Anna and Walter Powell.[1] Before entering politics, Powell was a history teacher.[2]

He met his wife, Bobbi Mae, in the summer of 1951, as summer employees of LeSourdsville Lake. They married June 2, 1952.[3]

He began his career as the city clerk of Fairfield, Ohio in 1956, and became a member of Fairfield City Council in 1958. In 1960, Powell successfully ran for the Ohio House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1962, and 1964.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 provided Powell with incentive to run for the Ohio Senate, which he did. He ended up winning, and took a seat in the upper chamber on January 3, 1967. While he was up for reelection to the Senate in 1970, he instead initially opted to run for Ohio State Treasurer. However, he eventually entered the race for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.[4] He went on to win the seat, and ultimately swapped seats with his predecessor, Buz Lukens, who then was appointed to Powell's senate seat.[5]

Powell went on to serve two terms in Congress, and opted to retire after his second term ended in 1975. He was succeeded by Tom Kindness.

Retirement

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Following his tenure in Congress, he retired to Middletown, Ohio. He became a high school administrator, rising to the level of principal. He later changed careers, attending University of Cincinnati Law School and passing the bar exam at age 53. He worked for many years thereafter as a real estate, tax, and probate lawyer.

Powell died on January 17, 2020.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Congress, United States (1974). "Official Congressional Directory".
  2. ^ a b "Walter Powell, Former Butler County Congressman and Educator, Dies". Dayton Daily News.
  3. ^ "Walter E. Powell Obituary". Hodapp Funeral Homes.
  4. ^ "Aides assist candidates".
  5. ^ "Senate membership may be stepping stone for Lukens".
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 24th congressional district

1971–1973
Succeeded by
District eliminated
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 8th congressional district

1973–1975
Succeeded by