Alonzo Lavonne Bell

Alonzo Lavonne Bell died peacefully on Monday, December 21, 2009 in Wichita Falls surrounded by his family. The family will have a private burial in Vashti, Texas under the direction of Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 from 6 to 7 pm. A service in honor of his life will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Paul Goodrich officiating. Lavonne was born on August 6, 1929 in Vashti, Texas to Cless and Cleo Bell. He graduated from Bellevue High School and served in the U.S. Army. Lavonne was married to Maurine Wetsel on January 9, 1951 for 38 years.Lavonne owned and operated seven scrap metal and recycling businesses in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. His businesses serviced 25 cities and their surrounding areas in the collection of trash and operated two landfill sites. He was, also, actively involved in the oil and gas business. Lavonne enjoyed being involved in community activities as he was a longtime member of the Mavericks and the Masonic Lodge. He supported numerous community projects and organizations. Lavonne was passionate about the things he loved: family, business, friends, and the Dallas Cowboys.Lavonne is survived by his four children: Lawanda Cates and husband Robert, Lavonda DeLong and husband David, Dewayne Bell and wife Carolyn, Paula Holobaugh and husband Dennis, all of Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a loving grandfather and known as Daddyvonne to nine grandchildren: Christi and Clint Jones of Wichita Falls, Shana and Chad Jackson of Wichita Falls, Amber and Chance Jackson of Dallas, Texas, Dea and John Ramoin of Savannah, Texas, Summer and Jerod Hutchins of Wichita Falls, Ashlee and Darren Myers of Austin, Texas, Lyndsay Holobaugh and fiancé Art Pue of Charlotte, North Carolina, Brendan and Sarah Bell of Austin, Texas, Andrew Bell and fiancé Kayci Spaulding of Ft. Worth, Texas; his brother Udell Bell and wife Patsy of Arlington, Texas; and sister Ann Butler of San Antonio, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a proud great-grandfather of seven with one more on the way: Taylor and Tyler Griffin; Crue, Crae and Creed Jackson; Ayden and Rylan Hutchins all of Wichita Falls; and baby Myers of Austin, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Bell, and sisters Pauline Stone and Poppy Joe Sweazea.A special thanks if given to the devoted staff of the House of Hope and to the caring Hospice nurses. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, the House of Hope, or Patsy’s House.Tributes may be sent to the family at www.mem.com.