Eugene Isaac “Butch” Powell, a lifelong Panama City resident, devoted husband and father, community servant, and faithful Christian, passed away at the age of 82 on August 7, 2026 Butch was born in Panama City on March 17, 1944, the fifth child and only son of Charlie Eugene Powell and Ruth Clark Powell. He loved Panama City and Bay County deeply and spent his life serving his family, his community, his country, and his Lord.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Coreta P. Pratt and her husband, Willard, and Charla P. Morris and her husband, Monroe; and brothers-in-law Bill Davis, Billy Greeson, and Daniel N. Frudaker.

Butch is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of almost 60 years, Tommie “Skipper” Frudaker Powell; his sisters, Margie P. Davis and Martha P. Greeson; his daughter, Leigh Anne P. Bedingfield (Brad); his son, Charlie Eugene Powell (Amy); and four grandchildren, Emma Powell, Clark Powell, Cooper Bedingfield, and Charlie Powell Jr. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Betty F. Justice; brothers-in-law Richard N. Frudaker (Marsha) and James N. Frudaker (Kare); and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Butch began working at an early age. In 1956, at just 12 years old, he went to work part-time for his uncle, Roy Laird, at the Credit Bureau of Panama City. He began working there full-time in 1964 and became manager in 1977. In 1983, he founded Credit Business Services, Inc. He subsequently worked for the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida before retiring in December 2007.

Butch graduated from Bay High School and is a proud member of the Class of 1962. He served his country with the U.S. Army Florida National Guard. His commitment to service extended throughout Panama City and Bay County. Over the years, he gave his time and leadership to numerous community organizations, including the Panama City Jaycees, United Cerebral Palsy, where he served as chairman, the Panama City Rotary Club, where he served as president and was a board member for the Bay County Historical Society.

Above all, Butch was a Christian. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Panama City, where he served as a deacon, usher, Sunday School worker, and member of several church committees. His faith in Jesus Christ was central to his life and to the way he viewed death and eternity. Butch wanted those he left behind to know that he believed salvation was a gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. He looked forward with confidence to being reunited in Heaven with the family and friends who had gone before him. His hope was that his family, friends, and all who knew him would place their faith in Christ and one day join him in heaven.He also leaves behind a simple challenge for those who remain: Though no one is perfect, strive to live close to Jesus, study God’s Word, and share life with other believers in a God-honoring, Bible-teaching church.

 A Memorial Service will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM. Honorary pallbearers include Deacons, Burger Buddies, Tuesday Men’s Bible Study, the LLL Sunday School Class, the Food Pantry Volunteers and the Bay High School Class of 1962.