The caller insisted that Jean’s late brother, William Powell, an original member of the O’Jays, was owed a fat chunk of change by the record label, which had released the group’s biggest hits, including “Back Stabbers” and “Love Train.” Since 70-year-old Jean and her sister, Movita, were Powell’s only living heirs, they were entitled to the money.
It had been nearly 30 years since she’d heard anything about her brother’s estate. So Jean simply dismissed the call as if it were a winning sweepstakes envelope from Ed McMahon.
“My mom couldn’t believe it,” says her son, William. “Twenty-some years later and someone was calling her about this? She told them to send [the message] to her in black-and-white.”
PIR’s attorney, Philip Asbury, did just that, assuring Jean and Movita that “substantial sums are payable to your brother’s estate.”
The elderly sisters still couldn’t believe their sudden fortune. “We were shocked, very shocked,” says 68-year-old Movita. “We thought it was a blessing from God.”
After all, not even Powell got to reap the fruits of his labor. He died of colon cancer in 1977, when he was just 35 and at the peak of the O’Jays’ success. But his sisters would soon realize that PIR had no intention of allowing them to enjoy Powell’s earnings either.
It’s been more than a year since the letter arrived, and the Canton grandmothers have yet to see a penny. Soon after the letter arrived, the label inexplicably began to stonewall.
“We asked them, ‘Why aren’t you paying it?'” says family attorney Andrew Goldwasser. “We can’t get a straight answer.”
PIR would have been nothing without the O’Jays. The songwriting team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff started the label with the express purpose of putting out O’Jays albums. In turn, the O’Jays helped refine the duo’s signature Philly sound by adding a touch of funk to the smooth string arrangements and lush melodies. Their songs became the anthems of ’70s soul.
When Powell died, he entrusted his estate to his mother, Lenora Goins. She soon found herself in court with PIR, fighting for his royalties. A settlement gave Goins a $68,000 advance, with the promise of an escrow account for future earnings.
Two years later, Goins died and the estate was closed. The family never saw another dime. “PIR will tell you that the reason why they didn’t pay for all those years is because they lost track of who to pay,” Goldwasser says. “Our position was, all they had to do was write a letter to the probate court.”
In the meantime, Jean worked as a housecleaner while raising three kids. “My mom, she never had a lot,” says Armstrong. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the ’80s and later suffered a stroke, the result of a botched operation. She has survived on disability checks ever since.
Times have been equally hard on Movita, whose daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer. “The family could really use the money to cover such expenses,” Goldwasser says.
But the sisters never heard a peep from PIR, which had quietly held Powell’s earnings since 1981, when Goins’ advance was finally paid up.
Then, in December 2004, nearly 28 years after her brother’s death, Jean received Asbury’s letter. “It was more emotional than anything,” says Armstrong. “We really haven’t ever gotten over my uncle’s death. That letter brought back a lot of emotions.”
Goldwasser contacted PIR. “They were very nice,” he says. “Phil Asbury was a true professional, but he didn’t provide us with the info we asked for.”
Not only did Asbury refuse to release the funds; he wouldn’t even say how much the sisters were owed.
Last July, Goldwasser filed suit. A few days later, Asbury finally admitted that PIR owed the sisters over $400,000. But Goldwasser enlisted an accountant, who discovered that Powell’s estate was actually owed more than $1 million.
The lawyer also discovered that PIR never started Powell’s promised escrow account until June 2004. “It should be noted it was set up in the midst of the federal lawsuit with the other two [O’Jays] members, when they asked where Powell’s money was,” Goldwasser says.
Even then, PIR only deposited small sums into the account, according to bank statements. When Goldwasser filed the suit, PIR closed the account entirely.
“It puzzled me,” Armstrong says. “Why would you write a letter, especially to my mom, that this money is there and then refuse to turn it over to the estate?”
Asbury was equally vague when contacted by Scene. “It’s kind of weird, isn’t it?” he said, but refused to answer further questions.
Goldwasser asserts that the label is using the funds to leverage settlement — one that could force the family to sign away Powell’s future royalties. “[PIR’s] only explanation is that they won’t pay until they have a full settlement agreement,” Goldwasser says. “And we’re saying, ‘Why do you need a settlement agreement for money you already admit owing?'”
Armstrong insists that his mother and aunt don’t care one way or the other whether they get the money. “My mom says, ‘Don’t worry, I’ve been living like this all my life. I can keep on living it the same way,'” Armstrong says.
Still, Armstrong says, his uncle gave his life to the music industry.
“And not getting back what he is rightfully entitled to — it’s wrong,” says Goldwasser.
This article appears in May 17-23, 2006.
In response to the information on this matter, it is only partially true. Our cousin, “Armstrong” failed to mention the fact that William Powell, (My Father) had other heirs, two daughter’s named Tracey & Kacey Powell. Unfortuantely my father’s side of the family decided not to make mention of this because of their selfishness and greed. As we are the rightfull heirs of the William Powell Estate. We now have to share a small portion of our fathers estate based on legal technicality’s. In my opinion this matter is still unresolved, and will probably remain that way.
If you would like to contact me my email is kaceylove@prodigy.net
I am clara the one who stayed with william powell during his illness. I took care of him until his family threaten me and took him back to Canton ohio. We were living in cleveland Ohio at the Park Center. In fact they were pretty nasty.
We had a bank account together which I never got and everthing was taken from me by his family. That’s ok though thats been a long time ago but I do know he had a daughter.
I promise William that I would call the mother of his child in California. I was to let the mother know he had an insurance policy for his daughter. This young lady I do know deserve the money and I’m praying they get(if he has 2 daughters . He really Loved his daughter and he made provisions for one I know of.
the estate was settled and William made 2 wills the second will was destroyed. I was in it. but again its been a long time.
Young ladies I hope you all get the money you deserve it. ( the daughter of course)
I am clara the one who stayed with william powell during his illness. I took care of him until his family threaten me and took him back to Canton ohio. We were living in cleveland Ohio at the Park Center. In fact they were pretty nasty.
We had a bank account together which I never got and everthing was taken from me by his family. That’s ok though thats been a long time ago but I do know he had a daughter.
I promise William that I would call the mother of his child in California. I was to let the mother know he had an insurance policy for his daughter. This young lady I do know deserve the money and I’m praying they get(if he has 2 daughters . He really Loved his daughter and he made provisions for one I know of.
the estate was settled and William made 2 wills the second will was destroyed. I was in it. but again its been a long time.
Young ladies I hope you all get the money you deserve it. ( the daughter of course)
William Powell was my uncle but unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet him. He died when I was five years of age. The only thing I need to say is a true CHRISTIAN knows his place and isn’t selfish. But what comes around most certainly goes around.
When it comes to money, greed, and pure ignorance sometimes even being a Christian cant always help the hearts of people. This matter is shameful and a sad lie to all of the people involved. I have heard sooo… many rumors and everyone believes that their story to be truth. I now am aware of much more information prior to the old and most recent case involving my Dad’s estate and his family, which is his only whole sister, his 2 step sisters and his 2 children which are me and my sister. We have found out that our Dad had 4 half siblings from his father. The step siblings had no absolutely NO business or real place in this whole case, but being my grand mothers children (my Dad’s mother) made it so. Evil and greed will destroy their souls, so I leave it in God’s hands! I know that there is so much hurt involved with this matter and nothing can bring my Dad back to us. To Clara Aaron, the lady that cared for my Dad, I can only say Thank you, although you believed yourself to be my Dad’s only partner, close to but prior to his death he was a married man! Ask anyone that really knew him. My Mom & Dad were high school Sweethearts and he lived with my Mom’s family in Ohio for many years. When the group began to see success, their relationship did change. However, they still loved each other and every time he came to California, we were all together. I’m sure he didn’t mention that to any of his partners including his wife (my mother). I’m sorry that he only told you what he wanted you to know, but I hope that your time together was well spent. With all of that being said, I’m hopeful that we can all preserve his memory in a good light with out all of the negative energy from our painful pasts. I’m sure that would be what he wants from his loved ones. As you said Sonja…”what comes around, goes around”. My sister and I don’t communicate with most of that side of the family because some things were out of our control and being in different states a whole lot of information was kept from needed to know parties as they have always been dirty liars! Intentionally keeping the truth from everyone. A 30+ evil ploy to try to keep our fathers estate away from his true family. Sad but true!
Wow i am so sorry to hear all this. I really enjoyed his music and still do. I just heard a song with his voice in the lead… beautiful.
May God give you and yours peace and Powell family generations of blessing and peace. I love his music and always will….. regardless.
Thank you for sharing your father, husband, brother and love one with the rest of us.
you are not owed nothing you didnt earn it no way no how,lazy greedy people it was your dad.hope you never get a cent.
Does anyone know if he had a brother named Preston Hale?
So sad to hear all of this…I hope y’all can work it out for the sake of his memory…I loved his music…Thank you William Powell…May you R.I.P..
So how did everything work out am not sure what was going on but to the lady Clara who was taking care of him I pray that god blessed you because to me you are the one who deserves something ijs
Are there any marriage licenses with William Powell’s name on it? If the answer is no then he had no wife. No ring = no money…it’s just that simple. Now, if those are truly William Powell’s children then they alone should be entitled to his estate. The end.