Sgt. Wayne Bell, age 89, of Knoxville, Tennessee passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. He proudly served for nearly 54 years with the Knoxville Police Department and was the longest serving officer in the state of TN. Sgt. Wayne Bell worked in the court under Judge John Rosson until Wayne's retirement. During his tenure, he served under five different chiefs. Sgt Wayne Bell was the original "Eye in the Sky" with WIVK, originally WNOX for over a decade. He named "Malfunction Junction" and there was a song written about it. He served as Past Master of Burlington Lodge #763 F&AM, Past Potentate and Recorder of Kerbela Shrine Temple, Past Monarch of Zelmar Grotto, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and Court 57 Director of the Royal Order of Jesters.
Sgt. Wayne Bell was preceded in death by father, Clyde Bell; mother, Etta Walker; brothers, Harold and M.G. Bell; sister, Dorothy Bell; grandson, Peyton Bell. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Mary Bell; sons, Dan Bell and Mark (Julie) Bell; grandchildren, Kristopher (Ashley) Bell, Jonathan (Tamara) Bell, Brandon Galyon; great grandchildren, Paisley and Payton Bell; several nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends Sunday, August 20th from 1-4pm at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home. Masonic service provided by Burlington Masonic Lodge will begin at 4pm with funeral service immediately following. Family and friends will meet at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home Monday, August 21st at 10:30am for procession to the graveside service with military honors at Lynnhurst Cemetery at 11am. Honorary pallbearers will be all the children of the Shriners Hospitals, Don Keener, Billy Graves, Ralph Lynch, Charles Derreberry, Honorable John Rosson, and Representative Tim Burchett. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Shriners Hospital for Children at https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berrylynnhurst.com for the Bell family.
