William Russell Bell
Published 4:36 pm Tuesday, November 5, 2024
William Russell “Bill” Bell, age 90, of Carriere, Miss., departed this world on Oct. 29, 2024, while working on his cherished Rolling B Farm after a memorable weekend spent with his children fishing and celebrating in Perdido Key, Fla. Bill’s vibrant spirit and unwavering passion for life will forever remain in our hearts, as we celebrate a life well-lived and the profound impact that he had on all who knew him.
Bill is survived by his three children, James Allen Bell of New Orleans (Jeanne), Michael John Bell (Aimée) of Covington, and Katherine Bell Finney (Sam) of Norfolk, Va. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Owen Chambers Bell, William Allen Bell (Evan), Leighton Bell Riess (Rob), Bristol Favrot Bell, Agnes Bell Riley (Rob), Ann Gordon Finney Mink (Ryan), and John Wilson Finney; and two great-grandchildren, Chambers William Bell and Ann Favrot Riess.
Bill (“Pops” as he was known to his grandchildren and extended family) was born to the late Estill Allen Bell and Annie Finney Bell on June 11, 1934, in Orlinda, Tenn. He graduated from West High School in Knoxville in 1952 along with his eventual wife, Ann Robeson. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from the University of Tennessee in 1955.
Ann and Bill grew up together. They began dating during their last month of high school and then attended and graduated from the University of Tennessee. Their married life began in Columbus, Ga. and Columbia, S.C. respectively, while Bill served in the Army. They relocated to New Orleans in 1959 where they built a life together and raised a family, celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary in 2021, shortly before her passing.
After serving in the Army in the late 1950s, Bill was hired by Upton Printing Company, taking the reigns as its president in 1969 and leading the business for the next 30 years, achieving numerous industry awards including the National Association of Printers and Lithographers (NAPL) Soderstrom Award in 1981 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.
Bill served on various Boards including FNBC, Longue Vue Gardens, and WYES, where he was Board Chair. He was deeply committed to the work of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and the New Orleans community. Bill was a church Elder and Clerk of Session and chaired various committees over his decades of membership.
He was instrumental in the founding of Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR), and in 2022, he received the STAIR 2022 Betty Faucette Award. He also helped New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity establish a local affiliate in 1983, an organization he would inspire both of his sons, Allen and Michael, to support.
Bill was a member of the Boston Club, Stratford Club, Southern Yacht Club, and several Carnival organizations. Bill enjoyed, and taught his children to enjoy, outdoor living, including fishing, sailing, and hunting. When he was indoors, he could be found in the kitchen, where he was a formidable chef.
In 1998, Bill and Ann and built their retirement home and moved permanently to their beloved Rolling B Farm in Carriere, Miss. They shared their passion for country living, raising cattle, making new friends, and enjoying the rolling landscape, natural beauty, and abundant wildlife.
They loved visiting their daughter, Kathy, and her family and friends in Norfolk. Over their 66 years together, they visited every state and many countries abroad, traveling with family and friends from New Orleans, those they met through the family printing business, and childhood friends from Knoxville.
After Ann’s passing, Bill remained devoted to his faith. He continued their Sunday morning tradition of streaming the worship services of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He “worked the farm” and stayed socially active, developing a routine of Wednesday brunch and Sunday dinners with close friends in and around Carriere and the Northshore.
His professional, family, and social life was abundant over his 90 years, and he was blessed with good health until the end. Bill was well-read, preferring historical nonfiction, especially military, supplemented with visits to many historical sites over his lifetime.
Bill had a way of bringing people together, always welcoming family, friends, and even in-laws of in-laws to family gatherings. During his years with Ann on the farm, he loved hosting church events, charity functions, and other celebrations.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church located at 1545 State Street in New Orleans. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR) program (www.stairnola.org) or St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (www.scapc.org). Memories and condolences may be ex-pressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com.