William David Powell, Jr. -- A Better Place

Born in 1925, the son of actor William Powell and first wife, actress Eileen Wilson, was an associate producer for both Warner Bros. and Universal and, for three years, an executive of the National Broadcasting Company before turning to writing for television series.  Powell wrote scripts for Death Valley Days, Rawhide, 77 Sunset Strip, and Bonanza.  Despondent over a chronic kidney condition and hepatitis, Powell used a razor and a steak knife to slash his throat and wrists while in the shower of his garage apartment at 2542 Rinconia Drive in Hollywood.  Powell's landlord found the body on March 13, 1968, after the 43-year-old scriptwriter had not picked up his mail for a week.  The only part of a four page suicide note released to the press said, "Things aren't so good here.  I'm going where it's better."