Last month, the CRC community lost one of its most beloved members—William “Bill” Powers. Mr. Powers died at his Denver, Colo. home on Nov. 24.

A recognizable figure at the State Capitol, Mr. Powers was instrumental in founding several key advocacy nonprofit organizations, including the Sacramento Housing Alliance and the California Reinvestment Committee, which would eventually become the California Reinvestment Coalition.

Mr. Powers was considered by friends and colleagues to be “a tireless, selfless advocate for the poor and disadvantaged who made a career of taking action to better the lives of those in need,” said Paul Ainger, CRC board member and Senior Development Director, Affordable Housing at Volunteers of America National Services.

“As a Housing Advocate for the Western Center for Law and Poverty, Bill was well known in the State Capitol as an advocate for legislation to promote affordable housing and to improve the lives of the poor,” Ainger said. “Bill was one of my heroes and was an excellent poker player. I will miss him but I will always remember his work and his steadfast commitment to social justice.”

In the twilight of his career, Mr. Powers remained active in the community even after his retirement through his work with various state and local advocacy groups, including the Gray Panthers. In 2012, Mr. Powers was on the Honorary Host Committee for CRC’s annual Sacramento Celebrating Reinvestment event.

Mr. Powers dedicated his life to advocacy work, say many of his friends.

“Bill was someone who had real integrity,” said Alan Fisher, CRC’s founding Executive Director. ”He was just a wonderful human.”