Pocomoke Native and Radio Legend- Wayne Powell Dies

 

Wayne  A. Powell

 

 

 

1/1/47  to 1/4/13

Pocomoke City—Wayne A. Powell of Berlin, MD, passed away on January 4, 2013 at his home.

Born January 1, 1947, he was the son of the late Lawrence A. and Marie M. Powell.

He grew up in Pocomoke City and was a member of the Class of 1964 at Pocomoke High School. Following his graduation from Salisbury State College in 1968, he was a teacher in the Worcester County School System for three years. He then worked as assistant Sports Editor of the Daily Times for 2 and ½ years before entering—fulltime—into a career in Radio Broadcasting which he began as a partner as WDMV in Pocomoke City in 1963.

In 1978, he and partners Choppy Layton, Klein G. Leister and William E Esham Sr. founded the original WKHI - known 100—KHI—in Ocean City, MD. He ended his broadcasting career in 1999 with his retirement from WKHW in Pocomoke City.

1997, Powell became a member of the Maryland State police Volunteers in Police Support (VIPS) program. He remained active in the program until his death, logging 6576 volunteer hours while performing various duties at the Berlin and Princess Anne State Police Barracks.

He is survived by his faithful dog T.J. and several cherished friends.

At Wayne's specific request there will be graveside service at First Baptist Church Cemetery, 2240 Old Snow Hill Rd., Pocomoke City, MD, on Friday January 11, 2013 at 11:00 AM with no viewing. Friends will gather at the First Baptist Church Social Hall following the service for a time of sharing memories.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pocomoke City and it's suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory should be made to the church, or the charity of one' choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, P.A., 107 Vine Street, Pocomoke City, MD 21851.

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DELMARVANOW

 

Radio Legend Wayne Powell Dies

SALISBURY — Before Mike Seidel became nationally known as a meteorologist for the Weather Channel, he got his start on local radio.

As a wide-eyed 16-year-old, Seidel recieved his first taste of radio in 1973 doing weather for WJDY-AM thanks to Wayne Powell, an announcer at the station. It was the first of three times Seidel would work with Powell during the early part of his career.

“The owner of the station wasn’t enamored with my voice, but Wayne had the guts to put me on the air,” Seidel said. “When WKHI went on the air in 1978, he had me do weather there. If he hadn’t done that, I may have never gotten another shot at radio and my career would’ve been completely different.”

Powell, whose radio career spanned more than 35 years, including as an announcer and later owner of the popular FM station“100 KHI,” died last week at the age of 66.

The voice of Powell, a Pocomoke City native, could be heard over the airwaves at a number of stations, including WDMV-FM, WJDY and WKHI.

Longtime disc jockey and radio personality Choppy Layton became friends with Powell more than 50 years ago, when as a 16-year-old himself, Powell showed interest in the medium.
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