Phillip Oliver Bell

Phillip Oliver Bell was born in Alsfeld, Germany on December 2, 1986 to Oliver and Sunje Bell. Phillip's father was serving in the US Army in Germany. Phillip was a bright and eager child. As a youngster, he enjoyed sports, especially karate. Later he blossomed into a very good student - athlete excelling in football, basketball and track. Phillip attended elementary school in Indiana. He completed middle school at Paragon Prep in Austin where he played basketball and won an academic award in Latin. He went on to attend St. Michael's Catholic Academy for 3 years. He was known for his quick wit and great sense of humor. He particularly excelled in mathematics. He was also the starting quarterback on the varsity football team. Phillip spent his senior year at Austin's Westlake High School where he graduated in 2005 and played football and ran track. His winning smile and model good looks always served him well. He attended college at Hardin Simmons in Abilene and Indiana University/Perdue University in Indianapolis. Last year he transferred to the University of Houston where he joined his sister Rayah. Phillip majored in Business and Communications. Phillip enjoyed music – rap and reggae being his favorites – and aspired to a career in the industry. He was visiting his mother in Indiana and preparing to sign up for military service when he passed in an untimely manner. Phillip was called home on October 21, 2009. Phillip is survived by his mother, Sunje, of South Bend, Indiana and several siblings as well as several maternal aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by his father, Oliver and stepmother, Stacee Bell of Austin; sisters Rayah, Alexandra and Annette of Austin; grandmother, Rosetta Bell of Dawson Springs, KY; and numerous paternal aunts, uncles and cousins. A viewing and funeral service will be held in Austin on Monday, November 2, 2009 at St. Mary's Cathedral. The viewing will be from 9:00am – 10:00am followed by mass. Interment will be at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. The family has established a scholarship at St. Michael's Catholic School in honor of Phillip. In lieu of flowers, well wishers may contribute to this fund by contacting Lisa Sikora, development director, at 512-328-2323.