CALGARY – Police are investigating the death of a man and woman in the city’s southwest, who have been identified as local radio legend Billy Powers and his wife, Donna Lee.
The couple was found inside a home in the 1700 block of 110th Avenue S.W. around 5:20 a.m. on Thursday.
“Everybody knew Billy Powers for the joke of the day, he loved to laugh,” remembers John Vos, brand director at News Talk 770, where Powers worked as the sports director. “Bill loved to have a beer in his hand. What you saw is what you got.”
“We just lost the world’s funniest man,” adds Gerry Forbes, a radio personality at CJAY 92.
Powers was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 2001.
According to their website, he moved to Calgary in 1965 to work at the Calgary Albertan. Powers eventually joined CHQR Radio in 1991.
Police have a suspect in custody who was found in the area of Southland Drive and 14th Street S.W., who is a relative of the couple. Police say he was the one who made the 911 call.
“A weapon was seized outside, between the residence and where we located the suspect,” says Insp. Mike Tillotson from the Calgary Police Service. “We don’t know if that was the weapon, but are looking to see if it’s connected in any way.”
An autopsy is expected to be completed within the next 24 hours.
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