Irish Person of the year, Dr. Vincent Powers - 2000

Dr. Vincent (Bill) Powers, the younger of two sons, was born July 19, 1920 in Michigan City, Indiana.  His grandparents were from County Wexford.

Bill grew up and attended school in a predominately Irish community in Chicago Illinois.   After attending Junior College he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.  Following his commitment in the air force, most of which was spent in Texas, Bill returned to Chicago where he attended college.  He graduated with a DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) from the Chicago College of Podiatry Medicine.  In 1948 he decided he had shoveled enough snow and ventured back to Texas.  Here, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, he began his practice.  In 1956, Bill joined the Schering Corporation, a pharmaceutical company, where he worked until his retirement in 1988.

In Texas, Bill met his soon to be wife Betsy Hasting.  They were married in 1952.  Bill and Betsy were blessed with two children, Jane Marie and Kevin.  Betsy passed away in 1976.  He has two wonderful grandchildren, Kayla (7), born on Saint Patrick's Day and Mathew (6).

Bill was president of the Hibernian Society for two years, 1971 and 1972.  He is a 4 Degree and lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.  While in the Hibernian Society he met and became friends with Pat Cashmen.  In 1977, Pat persuaded him to become a member of Irish American Society, then known as "The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick".  He has been an active and staunch supporter of the Irish American Society and the Irish community since.

Congratulations, Dr. Vincent Powers