Following the death of his parents, he lived for awhile with Carrieand B ill Holston, calling her "Aunt" Carrie, even though she wasactually a f irst cousin.
10/1932 He moved in with the family of cousin, Robert Elmer VanGundy, h e remained to adulthood, calling them "Mom" and "Dad." TheVan Gundys s aid their only regret in life was they didn't takeArkie's brother, Ras s, at the same time.
In one Powell family reunion roster, his name was "Bobby." It isunkno wn when he became tagged "Arkie."
He was in the US Air Force during WWII, serving from 11/14/1939to10/16 /1945 at: Kessler Field, Biloxi, Miss; Chanute Field,Rantoul, IL; and i n Italy. Following the war and for the rest of hislife, he was in Civ il Service, writing training manuals for thegovernment.
He may have actually been born in Wileys Cove as that was his parent'sr esidence when he was only 1 mo old.
Arkie, suffering from Alzheimers disease, was placed in a nursing homen ear son Eddie where he spent the last 4 1/2 years of his life.
The funeral was held at St Malachy's Catholic Church in Rantoul.
