Willie

Bell

Obituary

Willie L. Bell

September 24th, 1934 ~ August 2nd, 2016

W illie Lee Bell was born in Kershaw, South Carolina on September 24, 1934 to Viola Fisher Belle and Fred M. Belle Sr. He attended the South Carolina school system before relocating to Englewood, New Jersey in the early 1950s. Shortly thereafter, he sent for his family to relocate.

Willie was a fixture in the community, there was no one that he did not know! Early in his career, he worked as an auto mechanic for W. H. Peters car dealership. He was an entrepreneur who successfully operated an auto repair and gas station business with special friend and partner Jimmy Furr. Willie was a longtime member of Shiloh Masonic Lodge #53, where he served as treasurer. He was also a property manager of Willow Court Condominium.

Willie was a devoted family man who took pride in looking after his loved ones. He was also a caregiver to his parents until their deaths.

Willie was an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns and loved jazz music. He enjoyed spending time with and doting on his daughter and granddaughters.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 52 years, Mildred, children Keith, Karin, and Ray Simmons granddaughters Brittani (Francisco)  Valderrama, and Kiiara Keitt, great grandson Elijah Valderrama, sisters Magnolia Jones and Ruth Turlington, brothers Judge (Lois), Wesley (Sarah), Curtis (Rose), and Floyd Belle, aunt Nannie Samuels, sisters-in-law Nancy Drakeford and Charlie Mae Belle, godchildren Regina Belle-Battle, Michael Harris and Kimberly Robinson, along with a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, other relatives and friends.

Willie was predeceased by his parents and brother Reverend, Fred M. Bell, Jr.