‘Loved Fort Mill’: Legendary former Mayor Charles Powers, who served 25 years, has died
Charles “Charlie” Powers, the legendary former mayor of Fort Mill who survived being shot by a serial shooter in 2008, has died.
Powers died in Charlotte Thursday, said Sabrina Gast, York County Coroner. He was believed to be 81.
Powers, a Fort Mill native, was mayor of Fort Mill from 1982 to 2007. He was known as a proponent for a better Fort Mill for all people.
Powers was an icon in the community whose service to the town launched it from what was a small, sleepy suburb of Rock Hill and Charlotte into a vibrant economic, cultural and social home. He was as likely to grab a shovel at a street project as he was to talk at a council meeting, his longtime friends said.
Even after he was defeated in 2007 in his last run for mayor, Powers was a cheerleader for Fort Mill. He worked closely with Danny Funderburke who defeated Powers in 2007, and current Mayor Guynn Savage.
“Mayor Powers was the epitome of a public servant,” said S.C. Rep. Gary Simrill, R-York County. “He cherished his native Fort Mill and her people, always promoting, always cheering, always fighting for his town.”
Powers was founder of the Fort Mill Fest-I-Fun spring celebration that was later followed by the nationally known Strawberry Festival. He pushed for civic and quality of life improvements such as Dobys Bridge Park and the town’s Northern Bypass, and for libraries, community centers, and public spaces.
Fort Mill Police Chief Jeff Helms, who has known Powers for years, said Powers was called “Mister Fort Mill” by generations of people because of a lifelong commitment to the people and the town.
“Charlie Powers was a one-of-a-kind man who cared about every person in this town,” Helms said. “He really was Fort Mill. His whole life was dedicated to this place, its people, and making Fort Mill the best place it could be. Fort Mill has lost a great, great man. This community mourns his loss. He made us all better in Fort Mill -- every one of us.”
Powers known for public service
Powers was honored by the S.C. Legislature and awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian award. He was elected in non-partisan political races as mayor, and worked diligently with members of both Democratic and Republican parties.
Powers as mayor kept his phone number and home address in the public phone book so the public could find him day or night, those who knew him said. Powers’ commitment to people was known even among the nations leaders in Washington, D.C.
In 2008, former U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-York, took to the floor of the United States Congress to tell the nation’s lawmakers about Powers courage and commitment to Fort Mill. Spratt called Powers “an ambassador of good will.”
“Local elected officials like Charles Powers deal with problems that nettle people most, from potholes to public schools.,” Spratt said on the floor of Congress in 2008. “Leaders like him solve those problems and make our democracy work and our communities livable.”
Former York County Sheriff Bruce Bryant, a friend of Powers for five decades, said Powers had a special love for children and those in the community who were less fortunate.
“Charlie Powers was a caring and honorable man,” said Bryant, R-York, now a member of the S.C. General Assembly. “Not only was Charlie Powers a character who was full of fun, but he was a man of great character who was a friend to anyone he came in contact with.”
Powers spent years raising money for the York County Sheriff’s Foundation that assists children in need, Bryant said.
“Many of those people he helped, these children and so many others, Charlie never met or knew,” Bryant said. “He considered everyone in the world his friend.”
Powers survived being shot by a serial shooter
Powers survived being shot in the face in February 2008 at a Fort Mill store.
The shooter, Phillip Watts, shot several people at stores in York County before he was caught and convicted. Watts is serving consecutive life terms in a South Carolina prison.
When Watts shot Powers, Powers had held the door open to allow Watts to exit.
“How ya doin’?” Powers called out.
Then Watts, who had just robbed the store, shot Powers through the cheek.
In 2018, 10 years after the shooting, Powers told The Herald he never forgot being shot but didn’t dwell on negatives in life.
“You got to try and get over it,” Powers said in 2018.
Kevin Brackett, 16th Circuit Solicitor, prosecuted Watts.
“I never talked to Charlie when he wasn’t in the middle of helping somebody or about to help somebody,” Brackett said. “He held the door for Phillip Watts before he was shot. Even after being victimized by Phillip Watts, it did not change (Powers’) fundamental outlook on life. He always found the best in people. Charlie Powers was a gentleman to his core.”
Powers cared deeply about the community showing love for each other.
“Charles Powers was small in stature but huge in heart for this community and our office,” said York County Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “Nobody ever said no to Charlie Powers. He leaves a void in our hearts and will be greatly missed.”
This story was originally published March 11, 2021 at 6:18 PM.
