Charles Bell

February 6, 1926 - June 12, 2016

Charles “Bus” R. Bell (Age 90) of McLean, VA passed away peacefully with his family by his side on June 12, 2016 after battling pancreatic cancer for almost a year. He was born on February 6, 1926 on a snowy night to Samuel Bronston Bell and Marie Clark Bell at the family home in Arlington, VA.

Bus’ childhood home was directly on Lee Highway which was then the primary gateway to D.C. His family built and operated a Gulf Service Station there. Their gas station was like a community center for the area and growing up and working there played a big part of who he became.

Bus was drafted at age 18 and served in the Army during WWII from August 11, 1944 to June 26, 1946. He was in the 401st Field Artillery Battalion serving in Northern France and Central Europe. He married Shirley Ann Underwood on June 25, 1948 and they raised three sons; Steven C. Bell, Gary A. Bell and Joel W. Bell in the Chesterbrook area of McLean. They were active in sports and church activities.

Bus’ life time career was with S. J. Bell Construction Co. Inc., Alexandria, VA which he co-owned and operated with his brother, S. J. “Joe” Bell. The firm specialized in excavation and underground utility projects mostly for local municipalities. From humble beginnings in 1947, the company steadily grew to become prominent in the local Northern Virginia construction industry for several decades.

Bus was first a member of Clarendon Methodist Church where he married Shirley Ann, then a member of Chesterbrook Methodist Church where he assisted as usher and with other activities and currently was a member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church.

Bus was an avid tennis player spending much time playing doubles at McLean Racquet Club. He also enjoyed spending time in Rehoboth Beach, DE and on his farm “Red Fence Farm,” in Gainesville, VA.

He is preceded in death by three brothers; John C. Bell, Samuel Joseph Bell and William Clark Bell and two sisters: Frances L. Bell and Helen Marie Chappell. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Shirley Ann Bell; sister, Jean Margaret Harris; three sons Steven and wife Carolyn, Gary and wife Danelle, Joel and wife Sharon; five grandchildren Joel Bell, Daniel Bell, William Bell, Jonathan Bell and Jamie Bell; one great grandson Aiden Bell.

Memorial service will be at National Memorial Park, 7400 Lee Hwy., Falls Church, VA on Monday, June 20 with visitation at 10:30am immediately followed by memorial service at 11:30am with reception to follow on site.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Virginia Hospital Center Foundation, C/O Oncology Department, 1701 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22205. For online donations to the Oncology Department or a print out form to complete and mail your gift, please go to [email protected] or call 703-717-4438.