William "Bill" Bell

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Bell in the late 1970s when he hosted a jam at a club on Telegraph in Oakland. Then, years later, I took a voice class with him at Alameda City College and was invited to join his renowned OBACC --his choir that studied and presented African American spirituals. What an inspiration Mr. Bell was in my life! He even came a couple of times to the middle school music class I taught in Albany as a guest presenter! I will miss him forever. May he rest in joy and peace.

Thanks to God for Mr. Bell, he was one of the best music teachers of all time! I had the pleasure of being taught by Mr. Bell at COA in the early 90's! I'm still singing today and thanks to Mr. Bell's encouragement and superb training I sound pretty decent too! I so appreciate your dedication to excellence in all things music! Rest in Peace fine gentleman and teacher

I was one of Mr. Bells students at College of Alameda 1970-1972. He called me "LIL BIT". He was my favorite teacher in life! The memories I have of being in his classrooms and singing with him are some of my best memories ever. He and his lovely wife even came to my families home for dinner. I will always remember him, and think of him fondly and with gratitude for my love of music lAnnette Radomsky Schulman

I was privileged to have Mr. Bell as a jazz band teacher at summer music school in Oakland. His talent, positive energy, uplifting leadership, and ever-present sense of humor were an unforgettable influence on me and all those who met him.

Thinking of Bill, a GREAT musician whom I met at college of Alameda, one of his vocal students. He encouraged me to keep going don´t let my talent go to waste. Well missed. Thanks Bill

Bill was a great friendly man and a well accomplished musician. I was fortunate to have performed with him as a drummer on a couple occasions in a jazz band led by his friend and fellow educator Wilton Jones. I also took a piano class with Bill that he taught at the College of Alameda. He told me while there, that he liked my piano playing. That was very encouraging to me. I'll always cherish the brief time that I was around him. It was like being around greatness. I'll miss him very much.

Though it was my older sisters, Felicia and Tanya Green, who participated in UC Berkeley's Young Musicians Program I sometimes was able to tag along and participate in their activities. I remember going with my sister, Tanya, to their Christmas choir rehearsal and Mr. Bill allowed me (a 5th grader) to stand with the choir and learn the songs which were much more fun because Mr. Bell put a special twist into the music. I felt so special that day and that is how I always remembered him, every...

a great human being. Long time friend of our family (The Brown family) our hearts and prayers are with you.

Teachers are a gift, they just know how to touch our hearts forever!
Your family have my deepest of sympathy. May the Father of tender mercies, embrace you with his strength and peace. Psalm 29:11

~D.Reynolds