William Ellis Bell

William Ellis Bell of Gulfport passed away quietly on September 6, 2016. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Gulfport on September 9, 2016, at 10am with Rev. Jerry Nance officiating. Friends may visit 30 minutes prior. Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery at a later date.
Mr. Bell was born to Ellis Alonzo and Lizzie Armstrong Bell on July 9, 1929, in Crystal Springs, MS. He attended Crystal Springs Consolidated High School, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and Mississippi College where he received an undergraduate degree in science and later a Master's Degree in Education. While at both Co-Lin and Mississippi College, he played football.
When the 155 Dixie Division Unit of the National Guard was called into active duty during the Korean War, he willingly served. He completed his studies at Mississippi College and taught high school science and coached football for several years.
He became a fulltime employee of the National Guard Unit in Gulfport, and Lt. Col. Bell taught electronics at Keesler Air Force Base.
He and his wife Jere owned Jere's Frame Shop and Gallery in Gulfport for several years. He enjoyed meeting customers and sharing their life through the pictures that were framed.
Mr. Bell was a resident of Gulfport for 54 years and was an active member of the FBC Gulfport, Gulfport Lions Club, and various other organizations.
Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marion Bell, and son-in-law, Bill Hughes.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, the former Jerelene Smith of Brookhaven, MS; three children, Margaret Ishee (Wendell) of Ocean Springs, William Ellis Bell, Jr. (Karissa), of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and Shannon Hughes of Biloxi; a sister, Jane Bell Dykes of Madison; and sister-in-law, Kay Smith Cartwright of Gulfport. He was a loving grandfather and great-grandfather to seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Memorials maybe made to the FBC of Gulfport, Margaret Lackey State Missions Fund, 12190 Highway 605, Gulfport, MS 39503.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd, is serving the family and memories may be shared at www.riemannfamily.com