Minerva Area Historical Society
William 'Bill' Powell
Mr. William Powell grew up in Minerva, Ohio where his family was the only black family in the small town. Bill Powell was born November 22, 1916 as the grandson of Alabama slaves. Mr. Powell loved the game of golf from a young age. His story begins as a boy who walked miles to spend time at a local course to caddy. His passion for golf carried over into his high school and college athletics to his military service.
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Bill Powell’s family, including his wife Marcella, have been a large part of his success over the years as they helped him operate the golf course. Bill and his wife did all of the landscaping by themselves. They turned a 78 acre dairy farm into a 9-hole golf course by hand as he had a seed planter on his neck spreading grass seed after working long hours at a local factory. Mrs. Powell began the women’s leagues at Clearview and today her memory is honored with an annual 4-lady scramble.
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Mr. Powell had a lot of accomplishments and honors during his lifetime, and he was a great man too. Mr. Powell was a great athlete and his athletic accomplishments proved it. He was a player on the most undefeated Minerva High School football team (1932) and created the first Minerva High School and Wilberforce University golf teams with his brother. He was inducted into the Minerva Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Did you know Bill Powell was a soldier too? He even went to two different countries during WWII and got to play golf during his service. This shows being away from home in a war was not enough to stop him from doing what he loved.
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Mr. Powell received multiple awards such as the “Cornerstone of Freedom” and the “Jack Nicklaus- Golf Family of the Year Award.” He finally received enshrinement to the Professional Golf Association in 1999 after his first PGA membership application was denied in 1962. Mr. Powell was awarded an honorary doctorate from Baldwin Wallace University in 2001. Most recently, Mr. Powell was honored with a seven foot tall extended metal statue in front of the Minerva Public Library in 2023.
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Mr. Powell’s children have been very important to continuing the Clearview legacy in recent years. Mr. Larry Powell is the course superintendent and Ms. Renee Powell is the course golf professional.
Renee Powell started swinging a golf club at age 3. In her teen years, Ms. Powell won over 30 tournaments! She eventually went on to play on the LPGA tour and was the second African American woman to play for the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Today, Renee continues to advocate for diversity in golf with programs such as FIrst Tee and Clearview H.O.P.E.
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Larry Powell helped his father tend to the golf course in his younger years. Larry is now superintendent of Clearview Golf Course and has been recognised by the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America for his outstanding career in golf course and turf grass management. In 2016 Larry was inducted to the National Black Golf Hall of Fame for his success in the golf industry with his studies in plant disease and environmental conditions. Both Renee and Larry are very proud to keep their dad’s dream and love for the game of golf alive at Clearview Golf Club.
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Mr. William Powell was a great and wonderful man with a loving family who passionately continues to care for his golf course.
Resources:
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https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/sports/golf/02powell.html
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https://www.ohiogolf.org/hall_of_fame/inductees/william-powell
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Indelible stamp: The Powell family and Clearview Golf Club
William James "Bill" Powell (1916-2009) •
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William J. Powell obituary