BX April 13, 1956
Prominent in Six Nations, William F. Powless Dies
William F. Powless, of R1, Wilsonville, for 26 years secretary of the Six Nations Indian Council died Thursday night at Lady Willingdon Hospital, Ohsweken, in his 78th year.
Well-known as a soldier, and active in Six Nations affairs, Mr. Powless became secretary when the elective council system came into being in 1924. In 1950, he retired because of ill health.
He was a veteran of the First World War, having been wounded three times in France while serving with the 114th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He returned to Canada with the rank of sergeant.
Mr. Powless was a member of the Mohawk tribe and fraternally was a member of the Orange Lodge. He was also a member of the Six Nations Benevolent Society and the Six Nations Temperance Union.
He was the recipient of the George VI and Elizabeth II Coronation medals.
Surviving are two sons, James and Joseph, both at home; two daughters, Mrs. Thomas (Olive) Badcock, Toronto, and Mrs. George (Charlotte) Herkimer, Rochester, N.Y., and nine grandchildren. His wife the former Melinda Burnham, died in 1951.
Mr. Powless is resting at the Styres Funeral Home, Ohsweken, where a service will be conducted tonight. Another service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday following which he will be taken to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Sour Springs road, for service at 2 p.m. with Rev. J.H. Pogson, Rector of St. Paul’s, officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery.