Draft:William E. Powers

William E. Powers (December 18, 1907 – 1989)^[1] was a justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court from January 8, 1958 to 1973.

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Powers was a textile worker when, at the age of 20, he was blinded in an accident. Unable to perform physical labor, he entered the Perkins School for the Blind, and then turned to the study of law, receiving a law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1932, as salutatorian of his class. He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives for five terms, and in 1947 was elected Attorney General of Rhode Island. On January 8, 1958, he was named to a seat on the state supreme court vacated by the death of Chief Justice Edmund W. Flynn.^[2]

In 1964, Powers was named "Blind Father of the Year" by the National Father's Day Committee.^[3]

In January 1973, Powers announced his intent to retire from the court.^[4]

References

^ Mulligan, Debra A. "Justice William E. Powers". Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
^ "Ex-Textile Hand, Blinded in Mill, Named to Bench", The Berkshire Eagle (January 8, 1958), p. 19.
^ "Judge Powers Given National Father's Award", Newport Daily News (June 17, 1964), p. 3.
^ "Judge Murray Wins Backing", Newport Mercury (January 5, 1973), p. 1.

Political offices
Preceded by Edmund W. Flynn	Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court 1958–1973	Succeeded by [[]]

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