Written by: Charles H. Campbell
Mr. Campbell is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Rho Lambda Chapter, Buffalo, New York
William S. Powell, Jr. was born June 23, 1925 in Lockport, New York to William and Alice Powell. His parents moved to Eggertsville (Amherst) when he was very young. Powell graduated from Amherst High School and attended the University of Buffalo for several years before enlisting into the Army Air Corp.
He graduated from Tuskegee Pilot training and was commissioned as a Flight Officer on April 15, 1945. When his military tour of duty was complete Powell returned to Buffalo, completing a Bachelor's degree in 1950 and a Master's degree in 1953 both from UB. His Master's research thesis was on youthful criminal offenders.
In 1955, Powell became the first African American Federal Probation Officer in the District of Columbia. In 1966, he was appointed Director of Federal Probation in Buffalo, the first African American to be appointed to that position. He held this position until retirement. William Powell died on April 15, 1996 at age 70 and is buried in the Cold Spring Cemetery in Lockport, New York.
