Wallace George Bell

Wallace George Bell, 95, passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at his Midland home with family and caregivers by his side. He was a remarkable man, devoted to his family and his pursuit of life, liberty, and logic. Wally was born on October 28, 1922, the first of two sons of George and Holly Bell in Lander, Wyoming. He grew up primarily in a coal camp south of Hudson, Wyoming where his father worked as a miner during the day and 'did the books' in the evening. After one year of college, Wally enlisted in the Army in early 1941 and was assigned to the Army Air Corps; he became a highly proficient pilot and was selected to be one of the early instructors on the P-51 Mustang fighter. With the end of World War II, he stayed in the Reserve (continuing to fly the P-51) and studied Geology at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. After a certain new Air Traffic Controller instructed him to "either land it or get out of my TCA" during one of his fly-overs, he later married her (Judy, his "Hudio") in her Missouri hometown in October 1949; they celebrated their 67th anniversary in 2016 before her passing that November. While Wallace was stationed in northern Japan during the Korean Conflict (still flying the P-51), son Richard Wallace Bell was born in November 1951 in Springfield, Missouri. Following Wally's discharge from the USAF, the family returned to Laramie for him to pursue his graduate studies in Geology. He earned his Ph.D. in 1956 and took a job with Gulf Oil in Casper, Wyoming where son Andrew Denney Bell was born in May 1956. An interlude from Gulf in 1958-60 found him teaching at the University of Missouri, where the previously 'token science option' Geology 101 course was not so easy for the football team under Dr. Bell. He rejoined Gulf and that career took him to the Pittsburgh, PA R&D-Dept. for six years (and his introduction to a new-fangled contraption to be called a "computer"), an 'oil-camp' in eastern Venezuela for four years, and finally Houston. In 1971, Wally 'changed' careers becoming the Director of Geology with a contractor for the Atomic Energy Commission in Grand Junction, Colorado; later, he began his consulting geologist practice before retiring in the early 1980s. He and Judy lived in Grand Junction for 41 years before moving to Midland, Texas in 2012 to be near their son Andrew. He was a shining example of the American Dream: the son of a coal miner, grew up in the mines during the Depression; served his country during wartime; first person in his family to graduate from college (under the GI-Bill); worked during the scientific enlightenment of geological and computer applications; and provided for his family and ultimately cared for his blind wife for her final 16 years. He was truly one of the "Greatest Generation." Wally was well-read in the classics and issues of the day, and he could recite poetry and sing ballads from memory. He was a creative woodworker, building furniture and cabinets as well as artistic wood sculptures and candle stick bases on his lathe. His artistry continued to metals and glass, even fashioning pins and pendants for Judy. He was a remarkable man and we will miss him. Wallace was predeceased by his parents and brother, and the love of his life, Julia Marie (Denney) Bell. Wally's survivors include his son Richard and wife Susi of Littleton, Colorado, and grandchildren Tisza and Devon; and son Andy and wife Toyah of Midland, and grandchildren Drew and Alexia Turley (Joshua), and great-granddaughter Elena Bell Turley. Words cannot begin to express the family's gratitude to the wonderful caregivers of KindKeeper - Jan, Judy, Azeez, Blanca, Diana, Lori, and others; you all brought such energy and compassion to his life, and he trusted and respected each of you. Donations in memory of Wallace George Bell can be made to the Recording Library of West Texas (3600 N. A St., Ste. 2800, Midland, TX 79705). Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.