Cecil Bell

Funeral services for Cecil Bell, age 69 of Oakwood were held 3 pm Sunday, July 26, 2009 at the Walters Buffalo Funeral Home in Buffalo, Texas. Earl Williams and Jamie Duplichan officiated the service, and interment was in the Oakwood City Cemetery.

Cecil Bell was born December 18, 1939 in Leon County in Russell, Texas. He was raised in Centerville and attended school there (Class of 59) before his family moved to Angleton during his senior year where he graduated. He was President of B-5 Construction Company, the family business he inspired in 1983. He was also a rancher, avid hunter and a collector of arrowheads and pocket knives. He was a life time member of the NRA, NRA Whittington Center, TSRA and a published author. He wrote articles for a Texas artifact magazine under the caption “The Old Man and the Scout”. He wanted the next generation to know about artifacts as well, often going to elementary schools to speak to kids about arrowheads. He was responsible for reestablishing the annual Bell Family reunion which will continue to be held on the second weekend in October. He loved hunting deer, elk, squirrel and buffalo with his wife and with his kids, grandkids and friends. He hunted all over Texas, Old Mexico, New Mexico and anywhere else that he got the opportunity. He was Texan through and through and was especially proud of the fact that the Bell family came to Texas in 1852 and was quick to add that the Pate side was here way before that. He was well known for his strong conservative values and beliefs. He was unique in his helping of others. He never asked what he would get in return; touching the lives of many people. He loved riding through pastures, tending cows, hunting and being outside. He was a devote Christian and an active member of the Oakwood church of Christ.. He considered his greatest accomplishment to be his family. He and his wife Dorothy celebrated 48 years of marriage this year. He was husband, brother, Dad, Paw Paw, kin folk and friend to more people than even he knew. He died on July 23, 2009. Today he is at home with the Lord, but He will be greatly missed from here.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Bell of Oakwood, Texas; three sons, Cecil Bell, Jr. and wife, Jo Ann of Magnolia, Texas, Ernest Bell and wife, Kathy of Magnolia, Texas and Justin Bell and wife, Julie of Oakwood, Texas; three brothers, Weldon Bell and wife, Clarice of Dallas, Texas, Frank Bell of Centerville, Texas and Jerry Bell and wife, Alice of Leona, Texas; three sisters, Mayme Brown of Centerville, Texas, Mary Jo Bell of Centerville, Texas and Eva Roccaforte Bell of New Caney, Texas; seven grandchildren, Justin Dyer, Logan, Eric, Heather, Roy, Cecil “Trey” and Charlie Bell; great grandchild, Shianne Bell; mother in-law, Catherine Whiteman of Oakwood, Texas ; brother and sister in-law, Delbert and Carolyn Whiteman; a host of nieces, nephews, and great nieces & nephews and many many friends.

Serving as pallbearers were Cecil Bell, Jr., Ernest Bell, Justin Bell, Logan Bell, and Eric Bell, Roy Bell, Charlie Bell, Cecil Bell III and Heather Bell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oakwood Church Of Christ, PO Box 322, Oakwood, Texas 75855.

Walters Buffalo Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.