Richard Donald "Donny" Powell

Richard Donald "Donny" Powell, 66, of Hamburg, died Monday, March 23, 2026 at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock.  Donny was born November 30, 1959 in Port Arthur, Texas, was a resident of Hamburg for 24 years and a former resident of Scottdale, Pennsylvania for many years.  Donny graduated from Southmoreland High School in Alverton, Pennsylvania, in 1978, and soon after proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for four years. During his time in service, he worked as a boiler technician and developed the skills that would lead him into a lifelong career in HVAC. He dedicated many years to his work and retired from Crossett Service Company in 2022. Donny loved music and playing his guitar. He enjoyed camping with his buddies, grilling and hosting his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Gene Whaley and Barbara Powell Taylor and a brother, Jerry "Pistol" Hays.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Sonya Swan Powell of Hamburg; three sons, Donny Powell and his wife, LeAnne, of Brashear, Missouri, Christopher Smith of Little Rock and Jonathon Smith and his wife, Casey, of Crossett; a daughter, Kristi Rhodes and her husband, Ron, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania; four brothers, H.G. "Bubba" Powell and his wife, Linda, Charles Hays and his wife, Kim, Christopher Whaley and his wife, Jennifer and Douglas Whaley and his wife, Chayla; six sisters, Bridgette Funk and her husband, Tom, Melany Hays, Meghan Simon, Leslie Higgs and her husband, Joe, Jennifer Thornton and her husband, Scott, and DeeAnn Smith and her husband, Bubba; nine grandchildren, Ron Rhodes, Hunter Rhodes, Kristian Rhodes, Ethan Powell, Cadence Powell, Drax Powell, Jasmen Smith, James Smith and Scarlett Abernathy; three great-grandchildren, Karma, Raynee and Stetson and a host of nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.