Today we’d like to introduce you to Wilson M. Powell.
Hi Wilson M., we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Wilson M Powell , Woody ,as he is known, lived in Berkeley, California during the second world war.. He was the son of a nuclear physicist, who worked on the atomic bomb. During this difficult time, Woody identified with the soldiers who went to war. And when the Korean War began he signed up with the Air Force 1950. and was assigned to a Canine Unit. While working with the dogs, he discovered a family who was taking in Korean orphans and began to help provide beds and clothes and food. His family in California supported his efforts.by sending lots of old clothes.. It is still a viable orphanage today.
He married his wife Joan in 1958,in New England and we moved back to California. We had 2 children and he got custody of his 2 children from his first marriage and we all lived there while the children were growing up.
In 1976, Woody was transferred to STL while working as Marketing Director for IMS, an international slag Corp. He retired in 1986 and started his our business, Waste Advisory, in the Hazardous Materials Management field. This was a new field of industry and needed better communication tools so he founded the Gateway Society for Hazardous Materials Org. better inform the major business owners..
By 1991 he became a member of Veterans For Peace, and was impressed with their energy and activities to help prevent wars. In 2001 he became Executive Director after serving as Secretary for 2 years. He was instrumental in bringing the the national office here to St Louis. at that time. He increased the membership from 700 to 7000., by using better communications tools developing their newsletter and then the computer connections through their Web Site. He inspired others in many actions against the Iraq war. He promoted the Iraq Water Project , The Arlington West and Mai Lai Project. and many more. . He later started a Korean Project , bringing members to Korea to make amends. He continued supporting VFP for the rest of his life, going to Washington to address the members of Congress about the war., and organizing conventions to promote various projects. Woody continued to work with the locally Chapter in STL until he died
He was interviewed by Michael Messner for his book, “Guys Like Me” in 2004.. This was a book about Veterans from 5 Wars, Woody represented his view from Korea..
He went on to found the Veterans Drug Court, in St Louis 2008-2016. This organization helped veterans to help veterans to serve their community by becoming better veterans, using the principals of the AA program.
In 2010 he became co-founder of the Veterans Court Technology Clinic, helping homeless veterans learn new computer skills for better job opportunities..
And last but no least , Woody travelled to China on business, on a Railroad project, in 1983. . While there, he met a man, Ming Fu, who fought on the other side in Korea. They became lifelong friends.
In 1985, they got together here in STL, to write a book, “Two Walk the Golden Road” . It told the story about two men from two countries, and how they matured after the war from two different perspectives..
Woody died 11/23/2025
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Woody was born a Quaker and has always been inspired to help others. Maybe some of his own struggles early in life gave him courage to meet life directly. To take the challenges and make life better.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I , Joan Powell, Woody’s wife, am a Ceramic artist. I finished my degree here in ST . Louis at Webster. Univ. I have taught clay and have worked demonstrating in the public arena. II have worked in my own studio for over 30years. My work has been seen in galleries around the country. and is published in several books.
I am most proud of my one woman show in St Charles. in 2004.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned to be open to opportunities as they present themselves to me. To have the courage to go into business and then to give it up to pursue my art. The courage to be authentic self.
Contact Info:
- Email: jpjoanpowell@yahoo.com
