William D. "Bill" Bell

© Published in The Purcell Register

November 3, 2005

Submitted by: Mary Anneler

Graveside services for William D. "Bill" Bell were held Oct. 31, 2005 at Waurika Cemetery. A memorial service was held Nov. 1, 2005 at New Mercies Assembly of God Church in Oklahoma City with the Rev. Kelly Roberts officiating. Services were under the direction of Wadley’s Funeral Service.

Mr. Bell died Oct. 28, 2005 in Oklahoma City.

He was born April 9, 1927 in Waurika, the son of Irvin and Alene "Coats" Bell. He was reared and attended school in Waurika.

In 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and served his country on the USS Dane during World War II. In 1948, he returned to Waurika where he completed his high school education. He then earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Mr. Bell began his career as a teacher and coach in Oregon. Through the years, he also taught at Waurika as well as Byars, Electra and Petrolia, Texas, until his retirement in 1976 due to illness.

On Sept. 2, 1978, he married Theda Smith in Duncan. They lived in Purcell from 1994 to 1997, then moved to Oklahoma City.

Mr. Bell was an active member of the New Mercies Assembly of God in Oklahoma City.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ed Bell.

Survivors include his wife, Theda Bell, of the home; one sister, Betty Dayton of Waurika; two daughters, Vicki Farmer of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Terri Johnson of Oklahoma City; two sons, Jim Bell of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Rodney Hess and his wife, Kristi, of Oklahoma City; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers were Dickie Miller, David Warren, Adam Hess, Howard Kennedy, Bryan Roberson and James Harris.