Dr. William K. Bell Sr

Dr. William K. Bell, Sr., 98, of Jonesboro died peacefully at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House on Sunday August 23, 2020. He was born March 19, 1922, to the late Guy Gifford and Lila Hogue Bell in Benton, Arkansas. He was orphaned in 1931 in the depths of the Great Depression, but then proceeded to live an amazing life. He graduated from Medical School at UAMS, and then served during World War II as an U.S. Army Physician in the Panama Canal Zone. There he met and married the late Yola Zimmerman Bell. After the war he practiced medicine in Benton, Arkansas and the raised four sons, Billy, Danny, Guy, and Earl. They relocated to Jonesboro in 1960 where he served as the first pathologist ever at St. Bernard’s Hospital. He then began his remarkable career as a pole vaulter in the Senior Olympic competition. He set multiple world records from 75 years old all the way to 95, that still stand, and maybe always will. He is survived by four sons, and their wives: William K. Bell, Jr, and his wife Tatiana, Guy Gifford Bell and his wife Sharman, Earl Holmes Bell, and his wife Cheryl all of Jonesboro, and Danny Beau Bell and his wife Suzie of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He left behind 12 grandchildren: Olga Zalenstova of Moscow; Beth Bell of Austin, Texas; April Blaine of Columbus, Ohio; Meredith Carroll of Melbourne, Florida; Beau Bell of Steam Boat Springs, Colorado; Rebekah Bell of Chicago; Will Bell of Minneapolis; Polina Williamson of Memphis; Kelly Dale Hogan, of Jonesboro, Drew; Sam, and Henry Bell all of Jonesboro, and 6 great grandchildren scattered from Moscow, to Melbourne, to Ohio.

Graveside service will be 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Jonesboro. Immediately following the service, there will be a time of visitation at the cemetery. He was one of a kind; unique, endearing and memorable. He accomplished much from his humble beginnings. He left behind a living legacy of family, and stories that will be retold forever.

For lasting memorials, the family request, donations in his honor to the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401.  There he was treated like a king. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.