WILLIAM BELL

1935 - 2017

May 16, 1935 - Nov. 6, 2017 EDMOND William Markley Bell III, 82, was born on May 16, 1935, in Shawnee, OK to William M. "Jack" and June Bell. He attended OU and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. Bill graduated from the University of Arizona in 1959 and returned to Oklahoma to begin a long and successful banking career. His accomplishments include President and CEO of Liberty National Bank & Trust and Chairman and President and CEO of Bank One, which later became Chase. He finished his distinguished career as Vice Chairman, Trust and Investment Management at BancFirst. In addition to Bill's professional achievements, he served on many professional, business and civic boards. They include: American Bankers Association, Oklahoma Bankers Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, Better Business Bureau, Allied Arts, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Historic the Green Mountain Falls Foundation, OKC Golf and Country Club, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation, ONEOK and the Devon Implementation Committee, just to name a few. In 1965, Bill met the love of his life, Bettye Jane Maxwell, and together, they raised two wonderful children. Bill especially enjoyed his family time at the family cabin in Chipita Park, CO, where they would hike Mount Esther Trail, picnic at Eleven Mile Canyon, fish at Green Mountain Falls and go to the melodrama in Cripple Creek. His passions were golf and quail hunting. He was the proud owner of three holes-in-one and was the happiest when taking money from his golfing friend, Richard Ellis. When fall came around, it was hunting that he loved, and he spent as much time as possible with his buddies, Curly (Bob Johnson) and Moe (Roy Smith). You guessed it, Bill was known as Larry. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jack & June Bell; wife, Bettye Bell; his sister, Barbara Grimes; and nephew, Mark Grimes. He is survived by his son, Mike Bell & wife Nancy, of Edmond; daughter, Michelle Doughty, of Edmond; his grandchildren, Jennifer Knox & husband Dr. Stephen Knox of Castle Rock, CO; Chris Bell & wife Brenda, of Edmond, OK; Bryce Bell, of OKC; and Chelsea Doughty, of OKC; and great-grandchildren, Elijah Bell, Sarah Bell, Caleb Bell, Riley Knox, Ryker Knox, and Rogan Knox. Bill is also survived by nephew, Brock Grimes & wife Laurina, of Houston, TX; and nephew, Father Price Grimes, of OKC. Services will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 N.W. 15th, OKC. The family would like to express their thanks to the wonderful and caring staff of Autumn Leaves in Edmond as well as Mercy Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association.