Feb. 10, 1923 –

April 26, 2013

William A. Bell Jr., 90, of Climax, passed away Friday, April 26, 2013, after a brief illness at Memorial Manor Nursing Home.

The funeral service was held on Sunday, April 28, 2013, at Salem Baptist Church (Open Pond) with Rev. Ed Harrell, Rev. John Russell, and Stanley Mobley officiating. A graveside service followed at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Tim Harrell officiating. Jeff Rich, John McClenny, Chip Wray, Brian Hayes, Hayes Bell, Jonathan Rich, John Perry Bell, and Dr. Jimmy Cox were active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were J.D. Harrell, Tommy Dollar, Jerry Jones, Donald Barber, Johnny Harrell, Tim Green, Doyle Womack, Hubert Parker, Dr. Sydney Cochran, James Maxwell, Harold Barber, and the men of Salem Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Salem Baptist Church, c/o Stanley Mobley, 154 Hirams Lane, Whigham, GA 39897.

Mr. Bell was born Feb. 10, 1923, in Grady County, Ga., the son of William Amos Bell Sr. and Sarah Armissie Mills Bell. He was a graduate of Climax High School, Class of 1939, and a lifelong farmer in Decatur County. He and his family were selected Decatur County Farm Family of the Year. Mr. Bell was a faithful member of Salem Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. He was a member of the Bainbridge Sportsman’s Club, a founding director of Farmers’ Mutual Exchange (GoldKist), and served as director and was a lifelong member of Decatur County Farm Bureau. Mr. and Mrs. Bell enjoyed gardening and he will always be remembered for helping anyone in need, including giving roses from their garden to neighboring churches.

Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kathleen Rollins.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Emma Jean Harrell Bell of Climax; his children, Billie Jean Rich and her husband, Lane, of Climax, Buster Bell and his wife, Lynda, of Climax, Andy Bell and his wife, Judy, of Climax, and Nancy McClenny and her husband, Jarrell, of Cairo, Ga.; his grandchildren, Jeff Rich and his wife, Nikki, of Bainbridge, Jonathan Rich and his wife, Martha, of Bainbridge, John McClenny of Cairo, Jennifer McClenny of Cairo, Lindsey Hayes and her husband, Brian, of Bainbridge, Hayes Bell of Bainbridge and Cori Burnam of Climax; and seven great-grandchildren.

Ivey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.