William Frank Bell

He graduated from M.B. Smiley High School in 1963, and was a graduate of numerous technical schools throughout his career. Bill served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam combat veteran. After the service, he worked for various companies as a steamfitter and as an HVAC technician.

However, Bill was an entrepreneur, and the bulk of his working life was spent operating his own commercial HVAC business, Bell’s Mechanical Services Inc. For years, his company serviced a large portion of the office buildings in the Inner Loop, Galleria, and Greater Houston area.

In his free time he was an avid outdoorsman, who loved hunting and fishing. He was able to participate in those hobbies locally and internationally, and on a competitive level. Later in life he replaced hunting with sporting clay shooting, and was very passionate about competing in and promoting that sport. There is no telling how many shotguns and fishing rods he gave away to friends.

Bill was a licensed pilot and boat captain and owned multiple aircraft and watercraft throughout his life. He loved listening to country western music and was quite a dancer. When he did sit still, he was either watching a University of Texas football game, grilling outdoors, or both at the same time. He was widely known for his excellent ribs and briskets, and he hosted countless barbecues and fish fries.

Bill was quick-witted, an inveterate prankster, a great conversationalist, and an even better storyteller. He could rub elbows with the elite, but his heart was always on the side of the little guy or the underdog. At his core was a strong sense of justice, and he could not and would not abide by liars.

He was a Christian, with a generous heart for those in need, and known to help others financially or with his own labor. Bill was the kind of friend that you always knew would be in your corner and have your back. He was an animal lover, especially deer and dogs. He lived a full life and had many friends, but he always said that a dog would never let you down.

William Frank Bell was a lion of a man and a larger than life character, who will be sorely missed, but certainly not forgotten.

Rest in peace Bill.