William Forrest "Bill" BELL

BELL, Colonel William F. "Bill"United States Air Force Retired. Age 83 of Saltillo, MS. Died Friday, September 21, 2012 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo after a brief illness. Col. Bell was a veteran of 35 years military service as a U.S. Navy Hurricane Hunter from 1948-1952 and U.S. Air Force from 1955-l986. His rank at retirement was Bird Colonel, Deputy Commander, 118th Air Lift Wing in Nashville, TN. Col. Bell was a member of many military, veterans and civic organizations. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors, 5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38801 with Father Henry Shelton officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors including Air Force Flyover will be in the Tupelo Memorial Park on Joyner Street. Survivors include his wife, Sue Bell of Saltillo, MS; his son, Scott Bell (Yuko) of Port Orchard, WA; his step daughter, Melissa Bickes of Saltillo; his step son, Rick Holder of Atlanta; grandchildren, Marshall, Amanda and Emma Bell, Shelby and Kellie Bickes; sisters, Joyce Spencer (Ed) of Florida and Pricilla Fults (Bob) of Colorado. A host of friends especially in the greater Nashville area and his military comrades around the world. The military honor guard from Columbus Air Force Base will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be J.R. Roberts, Joe Berridge, Roy Miles, Charlie Moore, Fred Silver and 118th Retired Technician Association, USAF, Nashville. Memorials in Colonel Bell's memory should be directed to the Shrine Children's Hospital, c/o Al Menah Shrine, 1354 Brick Church Pike, Nashville, TN 37207. Visitation will be Tuesday from 12 noon til service time at HOLLAND FUNERAL DIRECTORS, Tupelo Chapel, (662) 840-5000. hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net