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When Bill Powell walked out of state prison with nothing but a trash bag of clothes and a prayer, he had no idea what the road ahead would look like — but he knew who was guiding it. Today, Powell Electric stands as one of Ponca City’s most respected electrical companies, built on faith, hard work, and second chances. But before the success came struggle, loss, and the quiet grace of redemption.
Bill grew up in the projects of southside Oklahoma City, a poor kid surrounded by the wrong kind of role models.
“I was just trying to find my place in life,” he says. “A poor kid raised in the projects, idolizing all the wrong people for all the wrong reasons.”
The choices he made in those years led him down a dark road that ultimately ended in federal prison — a place that would change him forever.
Fifteen years behind bars can harden a man or humble him. For Bill, it did both. “Silence is deafening,” he recalls. “When the world turns off and there’s nothing to distract you from your own thoughts and trauma, all you have to do is ask — and God will give you the peace you seek. That’s when my healing started.”
In that stillness, he began to sense that his life — and the pain he had carried for so long — had a greater purpose.
A Trade Becomes a Calling
Bill had worked in the electrical field for many years, but it wasn’t until after his release and newfound clarity that he began to see the trade as more than a job — it became his path forward.
“Skilled trades are one of the few opportunities that don’t discriminate against your past,” he says. “If you’re willing to study, work hard, and stay consistent, those same doors can open for you.”
Still, the road home was far from smooth. Finding housing as a returning citizen was one of his first challenges.
“It was ten o’clock at night, and I’d been denied by almost every apartment in town because of my nonviolent felonies,” Bill remembers. “Finally, someone took a chance on me. I set down that trash bag of clothes, took a picture, and said, ‘With these boots, I’m gonna tackle the world.’”
The photo — taken as he sat on the carpeted floor of an empty duplex — captured not just a man starting over, but a moment of quiet determination. “That duplex was my last resort,” he says. “I’ll never forget that feeling. I had nothing, but I had hope. That night, I also wrote a letter that changed my life.”
The Letter That Changed Everything
That letter, addressed to the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, told the story of how one teacher’s belief had helped him find purpose behind bars.
You can read that letter in Bill’s own words here:
To: Dr. Marcie Mack, State Director, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
OKACTE Awards Committee, Post Secondary Teacher of the Year Committee
A few short years ago, I was in a county jail facing the rest of my life in prison. I had lost everything — house, career, and relationships. I was literally on the verge of suicide. At which point I crawled on my knees to Christ and begged for peace. And every day after was a little easier than the last.
I get sent to prison scarred, lonely, depressed, and one day in a random conversation about my situation, a gentleman said, “You’re an electrician?” to which I humbly say, “I used to be,” and he said to write this name and address down, I think he can help. So I went back to my bunk that evening and wrote a letter that literally changed my whole life.
A week later a fellow by the name of Cecil Wainscott had me shipped to another facility, sent every bit of study material I needed, tutored and mentored me in more ways than I could count, and made sure there was no reason for me not to succeed.
And I’m happy to say in October 2017, I passed my unlimited electrical journeyman exam. I told myself I’d already been studying six months — I might as well continue and get my contractor’s license. So I studied another year while working full time, and now I’m an unlimited electrical contractor and have started my own company, Powell Electric.
None of this would have been possible without the help of Cecil Wainscott. The world needs to know what this man is doing for desperate people like me throughout the system. I am only one of hundreds of inmate students that this CareerTech teacher has helped change their life.
Thank you & God bless,
William E. Powell Jr.
P.S. He knows nothing about this letter. He would probably tell me not to write it — but he deserves so much credit I felt I needed to do something.
That letter, written from the floor of that empty duplex, was more than gratitude — it was a declaration of faith, resilience, and new beginnings.
Building Powell Electric from the Ground Up
At first, there was no team, no office, and no reputation to rely on. Bill started small — just himself, his tools, and his faith. “I traded electrical work for an old church van and parked it against my duplex door for security,” he laughs. From that humble setup, Powell Electric began to take shape.
“I didn’t want to be judged by my past,” he says. “I wanted to be known for who I am today.” Through dependable work and integrity, Bill slowly built trust in his community. Over time, that trust turned into opportunity. What began as one man in a van is now a thriving company with nine employees, seven vehicles, and a solid reputation for honesty and excellence.
Full Circle: Giving Back to the Community
For Bill, success has never been about money or recognition — it’s about gratitude and giving back.
“I grew up dependent on food stamps and welfare facilities like NERA,” he says. “Now, to serve on their board — that’s a full-circle blessing. God won’t bless you if you aren’t a blessing to others.”
The New Emergency Resource Agency (NERA) is a Food and Resource Center affiliated with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and a United Way Partner Agency that provides assistance with groceries. As one of only twelve certified Food Resource Centers in Oklahoma, NERA upholds some of the highest standards of service and community care.
Through the Ponca City Housing Incentive Program, Bill has also completed twenty home renovations, restoring properties many had long written off. “Everybody deserves to be proud of where they live,” he says. “Seeing a house in shambles and visualizing what it can be — that’s something I love.” For Bill, it’s personal. “I grew up embarrassed to bring friends to my house. Maybe that’s why this work means so much to me.”
The Power of a Comeback
For years, Bill kept his past private. He wanted Powell Electric to be known for its workmanship, not his record. But over time, he realized his story could give hope to others who felt lost.
“Lots of people don’t even know my past,” he says. “But the convict who wants a better life needs this story. He needs to know that if he puts God first, works hard, and becomes a blessing to others — it’s possible.”
He smiles when asked how it feels to be called a comeback story. “Everyone loves a comeback story,” he says. “I just hope mine gives hope to someone who feels like they’ve made too many mistakes to start over.”
Redefining Success
When asked what success means now, Bill doesn’t talk about profits or growth.
“Having food on the table, bills paid, and being a good steward of what I’ve been blessed with,” he says. He credits his faith and his circle for keeping him grounded. “Struggles will always be here, but it’s about surrounding yourself with people who make you better.”
A Legacy of Light
In a community that values grit, faith, and redemption, Bill Powell’s story shines brightly. Powell Electric isn’t just keeping the lights on — it’s lighting the way for others who believe it’s too late to change.
“You have to change everything if you want something different,” Bill says. “But we are capable.”
He laughs when asked what his younger self would think of the man he’s become. “He probably wouldn’t believe it,” he says. “But if I can do it — anyone can.”
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