William "Bill" Sherman Bell Jr.

Of all Bill’s many accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. He was kind, generous, and loving to all of his children and grandchildren. Bill is preceded in death by his parents; older sister, Earle Bell; and first wife, Elizabeth Chesnut Bell. Bill leaves behind his wife, Helen Griffin Addison Bell; daughters Elizabeth Anne Bell; Edythe Elaine Payne (John); Mary Katherine Lietzke (Glen); and son William Stuart Bell (Megan). He also leaves behind grandchildren Nathan and Lauren Lietzke; Meredith, Preston, and Libby Payne; and Liam Bell.

Bill was born in Houston, Texas at St. Joseph’s hospital on February 6, 1939, to Edythe Westerfield Bell and William Sherman Bell Sr. He attended St. Anne Elementary School, St. Thomas High School, Rice University, and Lamar Tech earning degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering. He designed electrical and mechanical components for Texas Instruments, Rockwell, and Input/Output before forming his own company Electrical Mechanical Devices, which designed computer components. Bill was a Renaissance man who loved new and exciting endeavors such as owning a record label, a west Houston baseball park, and a concert promotion company. He later chose to invest in real estate and oil and gas properties which became his primary focus. Bill loved a challenge and enjoyed working on cars as a hobby from the time he was a young teenager. In high school Bill enjoyed athletics and was ranked second in the state in pole vaulting.

Bill and Elizabeth met in 1968 while working at Texas Instruments and IBM, respectively. They quickly fell in love and married, building a life together in Houston where they raised their four children of whom Bill was so proud. Bill and Elizabeth were married for 42 years until she passed in 2011.

As a widower, Bill was very fortunate to rekindle a lifelong friendship with Helen Griffin Addison, his high school sweetheart, and they married in 2014. Together, they enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Europe, and Hawaii. He also loved giving their furry child, Abby, her dog biscuits after dinner. This was her favorite pastime, too! These past years, Bill really enjoyed watching the Astros, dining at Lakeside Country Club, and attending church at St. John Vianney followed by brunch at Benedicts.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 Sunday evening, August 17, 2025, at Earthman Funeral Directors located at 8303 Katy Freeway. The service will be at 10:30 Monday morning, August 18, 2025, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church with a reception following in the Church Reception Hall.