Billy H. Bell

Billy Harold Bell, 86, of South Strabane Township, died Saturday, April 11, 2009, in his residence following a lengthy illness. He was born January 14, 1923, in Washington, a son of Thomas Jefferson Bell and Sarah Manon Bell. Mr. Bell worked at Jessop Steel for 21 years. He served as a South Strabane Township Supervisor for 41 years and as chairman of the supervisors for many years. In addition to being the director of the township’s Parks and Recreation Committee, he was a founding member of the South Strabane Township Fire Department, where he served as president for 18 years, and was a Boy Scout leader for many years. Mr. Bell was a dedicated community volunteer, and in honor of his dedication to the community, the park at the end of Manse Street in Pancake was named “Billy Bell Park.”. Mr. Bell was a lifetime member and former elder at Laboratory Presbyterian Church, and a member of Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion and Washington County Association of Township Officials. During World War II, Mr. Bell served in the Army Medical Corps from February 4, 1943, until his honorable discharge as a sergeant on March 17, 1946. He was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, European –African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. Surviving are his wife, Honey Mae Fritcschle Bell; a son, Douglas (Janine) Bell of McKinney, Texas; a daughter, Bonnie (Mark) Bjorkman of Manassas, Virginia; five grandchildren, Christopher (Gabriella) Bell of Dallas, Texas, Matthew (Alysia) Bell of Coppell, Texas, Mark (Misty) Bell of Irving, Texas, Brooke (Joe) LeVecchi of Manassas, Virginia, and Betheny (Brett) Fry of Pittsburgh; and a great-granddaughter, Laci Belle LeVecchi of Manassas, Virginia. He also leaves behind life-time friend, Don Trautman of Washington. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, April 17th, in Laboratory Presbyterian Church, with Rev. David Stammerjohn officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion. Memorial contributions may be made to “Love Fund” at Laboratory Presbyterian Church, 33 Manse Drive, Washington, PA 15301.