Dr. William Alfred Bell Jr., age 79, of Pike County, passed away May 18, 2016. Friends may visit the family on Saturday, May 21 from 1-3 p.m. at Moody-Daniel funeral home. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home followed by the burial in the Williamson United Methodist Church Cemetery. He was born in Eagan, TN, son of the late William Alfred Bell Sr. and Ella Stanley Bell. In the eighth grade he moved from Black Diamond Coal Mining Camp to Middlesboro, KY and graduated from high school. He served in the National Guard for many years. He and his mother both earned their bachelor’s degree on the same day from Lincoln Memorial University in TN. He then received his master’s and specialist’s degrees from Eastern Kentucky University. Dr. Bell became the Head Teacher at several K-8 schools in KY; Boswell, East Pineville, and Straight Creek, and then became an instructor at Job Corp in Middlesboro. He took a job in the coal mines of KY in order to continue his education, receiving his doctorate degree from Eastern Tennessee State University. His first job as principal was at Harlan Elementary School in KY. In 1980, he and his wife, Toni, moved to Pike County where he was named Assistant Principal at Pike County High School and then Principal of Pike Elementary School in Concord. After the completion of the new school in Zebulon, he became Director of Elementary Education. He worked there until his retirement in 2004. After retiring, he became the Transportation Director for the Lamar County School System and worked there for three years. In 2006, he was elected to the Pike County Board of Education, serving eight years and was appointed chairman in 2014. Dr. Bell was an avid Tennessee sports fan. He enjoyed going to the movies, playing tennis, basketball and putt putt golf. He was an active member of Williamson United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Bell Peace, and an infant brother, Franklin D. Bell. He was a loving husband, father, and a doting grandfather, following his grandchildren to all their events. He is survived by his wife of 58 years: Antoinette ‘Toni’ Moore Bell; daughters: Merri Cris Mason and Kristin Norton (Johnny) all of Pike County; grandchildren: Ashley Mason (Eric Hofer), Sara Nicole Mason Eichelberger (Steve), Michael Mason, Jonathan Norton, Eliza Katherine Norton and Abby Grayce Norton; his sister Betty’s children: Jennifer Suttle (Eddie) of Middlesboro, Jeff Mike (Patti) of May King, KY, and Angela Oakes (Tony) of Soddie Daisy, TN; and many special cousins and numerous friends. Friends may visit the family on Saturday, May 21 from 1-3 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Moody-Daniel Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Wilson and Dr. Greg Burgner officiating. Burial will follow in the Williamson United Methodist Church Cemetery. Moody-Daniel Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
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