1. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkins District; Wilcoe; taken 16 Apr 1930' Page 39A; Image 50 of
60; Famil #430/464.
Listed as Robert H. Powell, Jr; age 9; born in WV; in household of father, Robert H. Powell.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Adkin District; Wilcoe; E.D. 24-3; taken 4 Apr 1940; Page 37A;
Image #9 of 64; Household #74.
Listed as Robert Powell, Jr; age 19; born in WV; single; 4 yrs HS education; lived in same house on
1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Robert H. Powell.
3. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1945); Page 168; WV Archives Website.
Robert H. Powell, Jr; age 24; born in Wilcoe, WV; single; living at Thorpe, WV; married on 7 Jan 1945
in Welch, WV; Betty Virginia Wiley; age 19; born and living in Thorpe, WV; single; with consent of P.A.
Wiley, father of Betty Virginia Wiley.
4. McDowell Co, WV; WW II Draft Registration Card #T-2283; 16 Feb 1942;
Robert Haynes Powell, Jr; age 21; born 21 Nov 1920 at Wilcoe, WV; living at Thorpe, WV; emplyed
by US Army; name of person who will always know address, R.H. Powell, Sr, Thorpe, WV; 5' 9" tall;
168 lbs; hazel eyes; brown hair; light complexion.
(Typed at top of card: "Honorable Certificate of Service 10 July 1945")
5. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Robert H Powell Jr
[Robert Haynes "Punch" Jr. Powell]
Race: White
Marital status: Single, without dependents (Single)
Rank: Private
Birth Year: 1920
Nativity State or Country: West Virginia
Citizenship: Citizen
Residence: Mc Dowell, West Virginia
Education: 2 years of college
Civil Occupation: Authors, editors, and reporters
Enlistment Date: 23 Mar 1942
Enlistment Place: Charleston, West Virginia
Service Number: 15170023
Branch: Air Corps
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of
Source: Civil Life
Height: 69
Weight: 160"
5. U.S., Cemetery and Funeral Home Collection, 1847-Current; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Robert H. Powell Jr.
Gender: Male
Death Age: 95
Birth Date: 21 Nov 1920
Birth Place: Wilcoe, WV
Residence Place: Journalism
Death Date: 22 Jun 2016
Parents: Robert Haynes Powell; Gypsy Reynolds Powell
Spouse:
Betty Wiley Powell
Child:
Betsy Powell Wall
Linda Powell Catarino
Robert W. Powell"
6. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Rick & Kat; 23 Jun 2016.
"CPT Robert Haynes “Bob” Powell Jr.
Birth 21 Nov 1920
Wilcoe, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 22 Jun 2016 (aged 95)
South Carolina, USA
Burial
Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery
Oak Grove, DeKalb County, Georgia, USA Show Map
Memorial ID 165910559"Additional Information posted:
"One of a quickly vanishing breed of "Knights of the Air", Robert H. "Punchy" Powell, Jr., a World War II Veteran Fighter Pilot, loving husband, respected father and Atlanta businessman, as well as noted WWII historian and author, passed away June 22, 2016 at the age of 95."Bob "Punchy" Powell, as many knew him, was born November 21, 1920, in Wilcoe, WV. He was the only child of Robert Haynes Powell and Gypsy Reynolds Powell. Bob was married to Betty Wiley Powell, of Thorpe, WV, for 70 wonderful years. Betty passed in March of 2015.
"Bob was a member of Oak Grove Methodist Church, the 352nd Fighter Group Association, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, The Order of the Daedalians, The Silver Wings Fraternity-Atlanta Chapter, The Mighty 8th Air Force Historical Society-Georgia Chapter, World War II Round Table and the American Legion.
"Bob grew up in the coal fields deep in the mountains of southern West Virginia. He graduated from Gary High School where he was Golden Glove Champion and acquired the nickname "Punchy" that followed him throughout his years. He was born to fly. His first flight was in a crop duster when he was 6 years old. He grew up during the Depression which created a man of integrity and strength of character, just like his dad.
"Bob "Punchy" Powell was attending West Virginia University when Pearl Harbor was attacked so he and his best friend hitchhiked to Pikeville, Kentucky to take the Aviation Cadet Exam. He enlisted on March 23, 1942. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on January 4, 1943, was shipped overseas in April 1943 and assigned to the 328th Squadron of the 352nd Fighter Group, based in Bodney, England.
"He flew 87 missions in the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang until coming stateside in December 1944. In addition to bomber escort missions, he flew numerous ground-support, train-busting, and airfield strafing sorties and was battle-damaged on five different missions. His victory credits include 6 destroyed (air and ground), 2 enemy aircraft probably destroyed (air and ground) and 7 damaged (air and ground), including destruction of the first German Luftwaffe HE-177 long range bomber.
""Punchy" was awarded The Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, The French D-day Medal, The Victory Medal, The ETO Medal with four Battle Stars, the Presidential Unit citation as a member of the 352nd FG and several other Campaign Medals. On D-Day, Punchy flew 3 missions, for a total of 16 hours sitting in his Mustang.
"Their mission was to consider anything moving toward the beaches enemy and destroy it. Regarding his flying in the war, Punchy said, "I wasn't flying that plane, God was. I was blessed, and, like my mom told me, better to be lucky than good-looking." Upon returning, he married his hometown sweetheart, Betty Wiley, and was assigned as a test pilot and Public Relations Officer at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH.
"At war's end, he returned to West Virginia University to earn his BS in Journalism in 1947. He worked as a newspaper reporter, photographer and feature writer on the Roanoke World News before being "recalled" for the Korean War.
"Four more years of service included fighter gunnery assignments with the USAF Exhibit Group and later as an AFROTC instructor. Bob separated from the USAF in 1954 at the rank of Captain to return to a civilian occupation as Advertising Manager for the Norfolk and Western Railway in Roanoke, VA.
"He and his wife Betty moved to Atlanta in 1956, where they lived for 59 years. In Atlanta, he became Regional Manager for a major publishing company and retired in 1987.
"After retiring, "Punchy", along with two other historians, Sam and Tom , took on the project of writing the History of the 352nd Fighter Group, which entailed years of searching for all the members of the group to get "their stories" as well as any photos that could be used in the book. The first edition of The Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney was published in 1990.
"He then began his second book, in which he, Marc, and Sam took individual stories of members of the 352nd Fighter Group and edited them into the book, Bluenoser Tales. Both books received fabulous reviews and have been sold out and out of publication for years.
"Bob Powell was a major supporter and fund raiser for the building project of the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, GA, where his Air Force Group is celebrated and memorialized, and he was a lifetime member. Over the years, "Punchy" became a highly sought-after speaker on WWII and the accomplishments of the 352nd Fighter Group for aviation organizations, civic groups, schools and veterans groups.
"In 2007, Bob "Punchy" Powell was among the honorees at the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, in Columbus, OH. In 2011, he was honored with his "West by 'Gawd' Virginian", P-51 Blue Nosed Mustang's markings being painted on the P-51 Mustang replica in front of the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant at PDK Airport, in Atlanta, GA.
"Bob and Betty moved to Columbia, SC in 2015, to be close to one of their children and grandchildren, where Betty passed in March 2015. Bob will be buried alongside his wife of 70 years in the Cemetery at Oak Grove Methodist Church where the services will be held in the Sanctuary."
2.
"MEET CAPTAIN ROBERT H. “PUNCHY” POWELL
"Captain Punchy Powell was born on November 21, 1920 and spent his boyhood in the coal fields deep in the mountains near his birthplace of Wilcoe, West Virginia.He earned his nickname “Punchy” thanks to his experience as a Golden Gloves boxer and his reputation for never avoiding a fight."When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he was in the midst of his studies at West Virginia University. With his sights on the sky, he and his best friend hitchhiked to Kentucky to take the aviation cadet exam. After earning his pilot wings in California, he briefly found himself in the cockpit of P-47 Thunderbolts before he and the rest of his squadron moved on to the P-51 Mustang.
In April 1943, he found himself on his way to Europe to join the 328th Fighter Squadron of the 352nd fighter group."It was up to the 352nd to patrol the skies and protect the Allied Invasion at Normandy on D-Day by escorting bombers, destroying trains, and shooting up German vehicles. Just weeks before his death in June 2016, Powell told a newspaper near his home in Atlanta, “We had orders to destroy ‘anything’ moving towards the beaches, and we did. When we ran out of ammo, we flew back to England, rearmed, and returned to the battle.”
"In fact, on that fateful day Powell flew 16 hours straight on three missions of nonstop combat in his plane aptly dubbed “The West ‘by Gawd’ Virginian. He headed back to England to rearm and refuel two times, and at the end of the day, his legs had grown so cramped and stiff that he had to be helped from the plane.
"“My legs cramped so bad I couldn’t move them. ‘Chief’ [his crew chief was a Native American nicknamed Chief] pulled me out and carried me like a baby,” Punchy later recalled.
Biographies differ about Powell’s record, but most sources agree he is responsible for the aerial and ground destruction of six enemy aircraft. Additionally, he is credited for damaging multiple German aircraft and vehicles."He and the other members of the 352nd dominated the skies that day, proving how resolute and superior both our pilots and planes could be.
"During his tour of service Powell once survived a crash upon take-off of a fully armed Mustang. It is said that the nameplate of the plane was yanked from the fire and kept by Powell as a momento.
After the war, he returned to West Virginia University, earning a journalism degree that he put to good use as a newspaper writer and photographer."Powell remained in the Air Force Reserve after the war and was called up again on January 2, 1950 to serve stateside in the Korean War. He once again flew a Mustang, and later attended Air Command and Staff College - finally serving as an instructor with the Air Force ROTC until he resigned his commission in September 1954.
"After the Korean War, he worked in publishing and even authored a book about his squadron titled, “The Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney.” He is widely praised for his dedication to recording and telling the stories of WWII veterans, especially the fighter pilots and crews.
"His son Bob “Punchy” Jr. said of his father, “He reached out and touched people all over the world. He was really not about being a fighter pilot, or hero. He was about keeping the history alive … His biggest thing in his heart was making sure that someone tells the story.”
"Punchy was married to his hometown sweetheart, Betty, for 70 years, and they were blessed with three children. In 1959, the family moved to Atlanta where he and Betty remained until their deaths. Punch passed away on June 22, 2016 after making 95 trips around the sun.
"Upon Punchy’s passing, Ken McCoy, chaplain of the 352nd Fighter Group Association, wrote an email to members saying, “He left behind a legacy that will last for generations. And a huge hole in my heart…In many, many ways, Punchy was the heart and soul of the 352nd Fighter Group Association. He had a knack of connecting people…Godspeed, Punchy.” His memorial service included a flyover by two P-51 Mustangs."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1945); Page 168; WV Archives Website.
Robert H. Powell, Jr; age 24; born in Wilcoe, WV; single; living at Thorpe, WV; married on 7 Jan 1945
in Welch, WV; Betty Virginia Wiley; age 19; born and living in Thorpe, WV; single; with consent of P.A.
Wiley, father of Betty Virginia Wiley.
2. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Rick & Kat; 23 Jun 2016.
" Betty Virginia Wiley Powell
Birth 26 Oct 1926
Thorpe, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 18 Mar 2015 (aged 88)
Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, USA
Burial
Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery
Oak Grove, DeKalb County, Georgia, USA Show Map
Memorial ID 165910964"Additional Information Posted:
"Visitation for Betty Wiley Powell, 89, will be held Saturday, March 21, 2015, from 2:30-4:00 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, funeral service will follow at 4:00 p.m."Mrs. Powell passed peacefully, Wednesday March 18, 2015. Born in Thorpe, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Paris Allen Wiley and Virginia Davis Wiley.
"She graduated from Roanoke Business College, in Roanoke, Virginia. She worked for McGraw - Hill Publishing Company, but mostly stayed home as a loving housewife and mother.
"Mrs. Powell was an active member of the Faith Class of Oak Grove Methodist Church, and believed in the constant love and grace of her Heavenly Father.
"She was an avid bridge player. Christmas was always a very special time for her. She made beautiful and unique ornaments for family and friends, who all enjoyed coming to see her Christmas home every year. She loved to entertain, but especially loved her family.
"Surviving her is the love of her life and devoted husband of 70 years, Robert H. Powell Jr.
"A. S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home 6/23/2016"
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Big Four; taken 15 Apr 1940; Page 851A;
Household #346.
Listed as Edward Stanley; age 27; born in WV; married; 8th grade education; lived in same place on
1 Apr 1935; coal miner; in household of father-in-law, Walter L. Churc, with wife and 2 children.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Big Four; taken 15 Apr 1940; Page 851A;
Household #346.
Listed as Zora Stanley; age 20; born in WV; married; 9th grade education; lived in same place on
1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Walter L. Churc, with husband and 2 children.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Big Four; taken 15 Apr 1940; Page 851A;
Household #346.
Listed as Charles Stanley; age 2; born in WV; in household of grandfather, Walter L. Churc, with
parents.
1. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Big Four; taken 15 Apr 1940; Page 851A;
Household #346.
Listed as Robert Stanley; age 6 weeks; born in WV; in household of grandfather, Walter L. Churc, with
parents.
1. Virginia Marriage Records;, 1936-2014; Russell Co, VA; Certificate #21400; Ancestry.com Web Site.
James Estel Handy; age 28; born in Maybeury, WV; single; brakeman for railroad; living at Avondale,
WV; son of William and Dora (Mullins) Handy; married on 9 Jul 1956 in Lebanon, Ruddell Co, VA;
Pearl Josephine Lockhart; age 21; born in Longpole, WV; single; clerk; living at Iaeger, WV; daughter
of Dow and Jeanette (Bailey) Lockhart.
2. Fanning Funeral Home; Iaeger, WV; Posted Obit.
"Pearl Josephine Burdettte, 87, of Abingdon, VA passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Choice Healthcare of Abingdon."Pearl was born in Iaeger, WV, January 24, 1935, a daughter of the late Lorenzo Dow and Genetta Bailey Lockhart. She was a former school nurse for the McDowell County Board of Education and was also employed by Sayer Brothers, Ben Franklin and the Iaeger Meat Market at various times.
"Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, Lorenzo Dow and Genetta Bailey Lockhart; her husbands, James Estel (Jim) Handy and W. Simpson Burdette; her sons, Phillip V. Handy and Gregory Doak Handy, and five brothers, Creed Harvey Lockhart, John K. Lockhart, Cecil Fielden Lockhart, Shirley Lockhart and Earl Mansfield Lockhart. Surviving is her only sister, Joan (Doug) Blankenship, and several nieces and nephews.
"Pearl enjoyed crocheting, embordering, spending time with her son and other family, and visiting friends. She was a faithful member of Holston Valley Baptist Church, and we rejoice to know that Pearl is in heaven singing praises to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that we are only separated from her temporarily!
"Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Randall Dority officiating at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV. Burial will follow in the Lockhart Cemetery at Long Pole. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Lockhart, Ryan Lockhart, Will Smith and other family friends.
"Friends may visit with the family Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the Chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m.
"Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV, is assisting the family.
"Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fanningfuneralhomes.com"
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1961); Page 303; WV Archives Web Site.
George Randall Benson; age 21; born in Powhatan, WV; single; Colored; living at Box 1, Powhatan,
WV; married on 7 Aug 1961 at Welch, WV; Lena jean Hawthorne; age 22; born and living in
Crumpler, WV; single; Colored.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1961); Page 303; WV Archives Web Site.
George Randall Benson; age 21; born in Powhatan, WV; single; Colored; living at Box 1, Powhatan,
WV; married on 7 Aug 1961 at Welch, WV; Lena jean Hawthorne; age 22; born and living in
Crumpler, WV; single; Colored.
1. McDowell Co, WV' Marriage Records; Vol #__(1961); Page 332; WV Archives Website.
George Hamilton; age 49; born in Rutherford Co, NC; single; Colored; living at Box 487, Coalwood,
WV; married on 16 Sep 1961 at Coalwood, WV; Carried Lee Cook; age 39; born in Salem, AL;
divorced; Colored; living at Coalwood, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV' Marriage Records; Vol #__(1961); Page 332; WV Archives Website.
George Hamilton; age 49; born in Rutherford Co, NC; single; Colored; living at Box 487, Coalwood,
WV; married on 16 Sep 1961 at Coalwood, WV; Carried Lee Cook; age 39; born in Salem, AL;
divorced; Colored; living at Coalwood, WV.
1. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Darrell Mack Mullins
Birth Date: 30 Apr 1956
Birth Place: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Certificate Number: 1956034356"
2. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Darrell Mack Mullins
Gender: Male
Race: White
Marriage Age: 25
Birth Date: 30 Apr 1956
Marriage Registration Place: Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date: 3 Apr 1982
Marriage Place: Grundy, Virginia, USA
Father: Mack Mullins
Mother: Margaret Jean Graham
Spouse: Patsy Annette Bailey Graham
Certificate Number: 1982013258"
3. U.S., Index to Public Records, 1994-2019; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Darrell Mack Mullins [Darrel M Mullins] [Darrell S Mullins] [Mack Mullins Darrell]
Birth Date: Apr 1956
Residence Date: 1994-2020
Address: 196 Perdue St
Residence: Bluefield, West Virginia, USA
Postal Code: 24701
Second Residence Date: 2012-2013
Second Address: 1 Shrader Holw
Second Residence: Bramwell, West Virginia, USA
Second Postal Code: 24715
Third Residence Date: 2012
Third Address: 1 Shrader Hollow Pl 1
Third Residence: Bramwell, West Virginia, USA
Third Postal Code: 24715
Fourth Residence Date: 2001-2008
Fourth Address: Freeman
Fourth Residence: Bramwell, West Virginia, USA
Fourth Postal Code: 24715"
4. Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home; Grundy, VA; Posted Obit.
"Darrell Mack Mullins, 66 years of age, of Bluefield, WV passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at his home in Bluefield, WV. Born April 30, 1956 in Welch, WV, he was the son of the late Mack Mullins and Margaret Graham Mullins."Darrell was of the Pentecostal faith and a coal miner, having retired from CONSOL Energy. He enjoyed watching television especially any sports that was on. He was a loving father, step-father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.
"In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister, Sandra Mullins and two brothers, Rufus Mullins and Billy Joe Mullins.
"Those left to cherish his memories include two sons, Scottie Mullins of Bluefield, WV and Adam Hagerman of NC; one stepdaughter, Shonna (Ritchie) Crabtree of NC; one sister, Jackie (Randy) Hamilton of Bristol, TN and one brother, Sammy Mullins of Grundy, VA.
"He is also survived by six grandchildren, Dylan Mullins, Hope, Lenz and Justin Hagerman and Austin and Kylee Crabtree, and several nieces and nephews.
"Funeral services for Darrell Mack Mullins will conducted on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Old Country Church, Raysal, West Virginia at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in the Tom Sparks Cemetery, Paynesville, WV.
"The family will receive friends at the Old Country Church, Saturday, from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour of 1:00 p.m.
"Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.shortridgeramey.com.
"The family of Darrell Mack Mullins have entrusted the care of their loved one to Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy, VA."
5. FindAGrave.com Website; submitted by Edgar A. Rice; 12 Oct 2022.
"Darrell Mack Mullins
Birth 30 Apr 1956
Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 11 Oct 2022 (aged 66)
Bluefield, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA
Burial Tom Sparks Cemetery
Paynesville, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 244628614"
1. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Patsy Annette Bailey
Birth Date: 1 Dec 1951
Birth Place: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Certificate Number: 1951080603"
2. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Patsy Annette Bailey
Gender: Female
Race: White
Marriage Age: 18
Birth Date: 1 Dec 1951
Marriage Registration Place: Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date: 9 Dec 1969
Marriage Place: Grundy, Virginia, USA
Father: Harvey Bailey
Mother: Ruby Joan Payne
Spouse: Steve Duff
Certificate Number: 1969050027"
3. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Patsy Annette Duff
[Patsy Annette Bailey]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Marriage Age: 24
Birth Date: 1 Dec 1951
Marriage Registration Place: Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date: 6 Mar 1976
Marriage Place: Grundy, Virginia, USA
Father: Harvey Bailey
Mother: Ruby Joan Payne
Spouse: Roger Lee Graham
Certificate Number: 1976008292"
4. Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name: Patsy Annette Bailey Graham
Gender: Female
Race: White
Marriage Age: 30
Birth Date: 1 Dec 1951
Marriage Registration Place: Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Marriage Date: 3 Apr 1982
Marriage Place: Grundy, Virginia, USA
Father: Harvey Bailey
Mother: Ruby Joan Payne
Spouse: Darrell Mack Mullins
Certificate Number: 1982013258"