William Earl Bell

In 1950, William graduated from NC State University, married his sweetheart, Dona V. Wright and began his 40 year career with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Before his retirement in 1990, William had received the Superior Service Award in 1978 and the Executive Award for Excellence in 1984 from the State of North Carolina. He was a member of Apex United Methodist Church, loved animals, especially cows, gardening and sharing vegetables with neighbors. Most importantly, William was proud of being a husband, a father to his two sons and a grandfather to Travis.

He is survived by his wife, Dona W. Bell; sons: Edwin Bell and wife Dawn, of Milpitas, CA and Benny Bell, of Knoxville, TN; grandson: Travis Bell; and siblings: Albert Bell, Betty Ann Snyder and Beatrice Norris, all of Etowah, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Lois, Charlotte, Ulysses, Vera, Luther and Edna.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6-8 PM at Apex Funeral Home, with Funeral Services, officated by Rev. Gray Southern, to be held on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 2 PM at Apex United Methodist Church. Interment, with Military Honors, will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Apex United Methodist Church – 100 S Hughes Street – Apex, NC 27502.