Napoleon Arthur Bell

BELL Napoleon Arthur Bell, 85, trusted attorney, friend, parent and husband of Columbus and Youngstown Ohio, passed away peacefully at his residence in Columbus on December 16, 2012. Born on June 17, 1927 in Dublin, Georgia, Napoleon moved with his family to Youngstownin 1930. After graduating from South High School in 1946, for two years he served in the US Army, where he played football and toured in Japan. Upon returning to the States, Napoleon earned hisBA degree from Mount Union College in 1951 and his JD degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1954. After law school, Napoleon moved to Columbus, became an Attorney Examiner for the OhioIndustrial Commission, and met and married Dorothy Lyman. In 1958, Napoleon began a successful private practice that served Ohio's citizens for thirty years. Ohio Governor Richard Celeste appointed Napoleon as Special Council, Ohio Attorney General from 1988-1989, and in the ensuing eight years, Attorney Bell was one of five members of the Ohio Commission of Workman's Compensation. Attorney Bell served on numerous boards, including the Columbus Urban League, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Mount Union College, and the United Way. He served fourteen years on the Columbia Gas Board and was Chairman of the Board of Columbus State Community College from 1992-1994. Napoleon was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha PsiFraternity, Inc. and a longtime member of the Cavalier's Club. Upon his retirement, Dorothy and Napoleon moved to Henderson, Nevada to enjoy many uninterrupted years of golfing, world traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. Napoleon is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Dorothy Jane (Lyman) Bell; his daughter, Kayethel B. Mason (Vincent); his son, Napoleon Arthur Bell II; grandchildren, Leah Kay Bell, Mycah Rene Mason, Napoleon (Nate) Arthur BellIII, and Gabrielle Elizabeth Mason. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Barbara Bell of Youngstown, Ohio, and numerous loving nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Arthur Lee Bell, mother, Ethel Lee Bell, and brother Thomas L. Bell, of Youngstown. The family will receive friends beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012, at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 166 Woodland Ave., Columbus, Ohio, 43203, Reverend Canon Karl Ruttan, Officiant. The funeral service will begin at 12:00 p.m. Arrangements by C. D. WHITE & SON FUNERAL HOME, 1217 Mt. Vernon Ave.,(614) 258-1514. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Columbus State Development Foundation for the Man Initiative. Contact Elissa Schneider contact at 287-5028 or eschneid@cscc.edu