Billy Dean Bell, 87, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 2:45 pm, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at Parkview Wabash Hospital in Wabash. He was born on December 15, 1936, in Wabash, Indiana, to Paul Marion and Lenora Estele (Rogers) Bell.
Bill was a lifetime resident of Wabash County. He graduated from Wabash High School in 1955. He worked for Honeywell before joining the National Guard, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1958. He went on to serve in the US Air Force from 1960 to 1964, spending two years and nine months as an Air Traffic Controller at Wasserkuppe Air Base in Germany, receiving an Honorable Discharge from his service.
Bill met Nancy French, a country girl from Wabash County who was attending Parkview Nursing School. Their relationship turned out to be a “courtship by mail”. In 1962 Nancy flew to Germany and they were married in Gersfield. Bill and Nancy then took the opportunity to travel Europe and establish many memories. Upon returning to the United States, Bill would go on to work for the United States Postal Service as a Mail Carrier at the Wabash Branch. Bill had forty-two years of employment before retiring. He was an avid clock collector and repairman. He received a Certificate as a Registered Clockmaker from the State of Indiana. He found great joy in sharing friendship and knowledge with members of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. In 2020 he celebrated 50 years of membership with NAWCC. Bill attended Bachelor Creek Church of Christ, Wabash for many years, and was a current member of the Church of Christ at Treaty.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Ellen Bell of Wabash; two daughters, Robyn (Brian ) Bohlander of Summitville, Indiana, and Jennifer (Gary ) Clark of New Castle, Indiana; grandchildren, Heather (Brett ) Vanlandingham of Monroe, Connecticut, William Foust of Peru, Indiana, Haley (Levi ) Holmes of Wabash, Hannah Bennie of Gas City, Indiana, Zachary (Abbie) Clark of Anderson, Indiana, and Alyssa (Tyler) Elmore of Ingalls, Indiana; two step grandchildren, Cody (Marisa) Bohlander of Jonesboro, Indiana, and Jade (Josh) Michael of Fort Wayne, Indiana; 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Roger (Pene) Bell of Noblesville, Indiana; and his childhood friend, Tom Driscoll of Wabash. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Scott Bell; and three brothers, Marion, Jerry and Steven Bell.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am, Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with David Stokes and Gary Clark officiating. Burial will be in South Pleasant Cemetery, Silver Lake. Friends may call 10-11 am Thursday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are the Alzheimer’s Association or Shriners Hospital for Children.
The memorial guest book for Billy may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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