Purcell R. Powless, Retired Chairman of Oneida Nation Purcell R. Powless born December 25, 1925 Oneida, WI passed into the spirit world, surrounded by his family on Friday morning, November 5, 2010. He was the son of Mark Powless and Margaret (Stevens) Powless. In 1946 he married Angeline (Skenandore) Powless. (Angeline passed away 2003). Purcell is survived by 8 children, five sons Richard, Greg and wife Nancy, Ralph, Jamie and Gloria Powless, and Joey. Three daughters, Kathy Gilsoul, Bobbi and husband Dale Webster and Monica and husband Sterling Nunies. Loving friends of the family, Celeste Skenandore, Rene Denny, Jackie Metoxen, and John "Boom"Skenandore. Brothers, Mark N. (Shirley) Powless, Herbert G. Powless and Eugene D. Powless, Sisters, Mary E. Dodge, Dorothy Mehojah, and Marj Stevens, and sister in law, Lois Powless. Purcell has 30 grandchildren 36 great grandchildren. Beside his wife Angeline, he was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Margaret Powless, brother, John E. Powless, sister Lorraine Cornelius, brothers in law, Gordon Cornelius, Joseph Mehojah, and Atlee Dodge and grand daughter, Tammy Powless. Purcell attended St. Joseph School in Oneida and Pipestone Indian School and graduated from Flandreau Indian School, South Dakota. In 1943 he joined the Merchant Marines and traveled around the world during WWII. He stayed in the Merchant Marines for three years and following his tour of duty with the Marines he came home to Oneida and married his wife of 57 years on December 28, 1946. After the service he moved his family to Rock Island, Ill. where he began his career as an ironworker. For 35 years Purcell worked in the high steel industry and is proud to have worked on such buildings as the Sears Tower in Chicago, the Mackinaw Bridge and hundreds of other steel construction jobs across the country. In 1967 Purcell Powless was elected as Oneida Tribal Chairman, the Oneida Nation kept him at the helm for 23 years, he remains the longest seated chairman in the history of the Oneida Nation. When Purcell was elected the Oneida Nation had very little money and unemployment on the reservation was more than 80%. Within the next fifteen years Chairman Powless was successful in leading the Tribe to the beginning of an era which would change the quality of life on the Oneida Reservation and raise the standard of living in Oneida above the poverty level. By 1982 the Oneida Nation had expanded it's budget to include private and federal funding for health care, education, housing and provide jobs for approximately 500 employees. The establishment of Oneida Bingo had occurred during this period and was a major financial boost to the Tribe's swelling budget. Powless always supported the efforts to bring Oneida Bingo games to the highest level of professional gaming and prosperity. Through the efforts of many Oneida women who shared a vision for the Oneida people, Bingo became the most lucrative economic initiatives ever experienced by any Tribe in Wisconsin. Following more than a decade of success from Oneida Bingo, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 (IGRA) was passed which opened the doors to casino games in the nation. IGRA was passed in October and by the end of that month, Powless contacted former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson to compact for class III in Oneida. Although it took nearly three years to conclude a compact with Wisconsin the Oneida government supported the expansion into Class III gaming in 1990. Powless supported a team of Oneida professional attorneys, accountants and administrators who led the negotiations and eventually, shortly after his retirement, a compact was entered into between the Tribe and the State. When a door was opened for Purcell, he brought his people through the door with him, he never walked alone. He was a very humble man who never rested on his laurels, rather he shared his success and gave credit where it was due, regardless of whether it was due to a woman, a man or a Tribal member or non-Tribal member. His visionary leadership impacted the nation by drastically improving the quality of life for this community Some of the most notable accomplishments under his administration are, The Anna John Nursing Home, the Irene Moore Activity Center, the Radisson and the Oneida Casino, Site I & II, Tribal vehicles, land recovery, Retail Division, Head Start, Tribal School System and much more. Purcell leaves a legacy of authority without great force, integrity and respect built upon his honesty, and most of all love for his family, his people and his nation. Family and friends may call at Holy Apostles Episcopal Church, Freedom Road, Oneida from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday November 7, 2010. Oneida Hymn Singing will begin at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday from 9:00 am until time of service. Celebration of Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church at 11:00 am Monday with Mother Kristina Henning, Deacon Deborah Heckle and Deacon Edmund Powless, officiating. RYAN FUNERAL HOME of De Pere is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Powless Family. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations to the Purcell Powless Scholarship Fund at the Oneida Tribe of Indians. We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to the people who came and shared this time with us. We are grateful for the support, prayers, time spent with Dad and the donations from family and our community. We are especially grateful for Unity Hospice and Holy Apostles Ministry. We are grateful and give thanks to our all mighty Creator who gave life to a man who will live on in our hearts, in our minds and in our world forever.