William H. “Bill” Bell

William H. “Bill” Bell, 92, of Irwin Township, Venango County, passed away Thursday in his home following an extended illness.

Bill was born July 15, 1923, in Oil City to John Mexter and Elizabeth Haney Bell.

He was first married to Gloria Stewart on Jan. 10, 1977, and she preceded him in death on April 15, 1995. He later married Aileen McDaniel Bell on April 4, 1998, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 28, 2005.

Throughout his life he was known by using the phrase, “I'm just fine and dandy,” and he often said that during the time of his declining health.

At age 18, he served in the U.S. Army-Air Force during World War II. He was at the invasion of Normandy, France.

Following the war, Bill attended machinist school in Pittsburgh, which let him pursue a career as a machinist at Cooper Bessemer in Grove City for nearly 40 years.

Bill attended the Bell Memorial Wesleyan Methodist Church, Boyers.

He was survived by five stepchildren, Martha “Marty” Small of Texas, Karen Weaver and her husband, Charlie, of Greenville, Pa., Judi Langharst of Polk, Pa., Sara Meyers and her husband, Denny, of North Braddock, Pa., and James Bell III and his wife, Celeste, of Slippery Rock; eight step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.

Other than his parents and both wives, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Thomas Bell.

BELL — Visiting hours for William H. “Bill” Bell, who died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City.A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Gary Warinner officiating.Burial will take place at the Rosewood Cemetery, Ridgeville, Pa.