William A. Bell

William A. Bell, 89, of Topeka, died Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Lexington Park.

He was born in Chicopee, Kansas, on August 18, 1920 to Jean Ryan Bell and Robert Bell. 

Bill attended school in Franklin, Arma and Pittsburg, KS.  He was in the United States Air Force during World War II, having spent over two years in Europe with the 385th Bomber Group as a Tech Sgt.  He was elected to two terms as Crawford County Treasurer.  He then moved to Topeka in 1959 where he was named First Deputy State Treasurer.  He then became an employee of the Northeast Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross in the Senior Meal department and was in that line of work, serving as Site Director with Meals on Wheels for many years, always serving seniors north of the Kansas River.  Since his retirement, he kept active with the Papan’s Landing Senior Center and was honored by the center for his decades of work.

He served as Chairman of Democratic Action Committee for twenty-five years and was a Democratic Precinct Committeeman for fifty years, also serving as Ward Captain.  Bill was awarded the 1994 John D. Montgomery Distinguished Service Award by the Kansas Democratic Party.

Bill was a member of Mater Dei Parish and a life member of Philip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW of Topeka and a life member of Lon Helm Post of the American Legion at Arma.

He is survived by a brother John Bell of Santa Barbara, CA, four nieces including Janet Barnes of Topeka, and two nephews.  Nine great nieces and nephews and seven great great nieces and nephews also survive.    He was preceded in death by his parents many years ago, a sister Jean Stermlon and a brother Joseph P. Bell.

Mr. Bell will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home after 2:00 p.m. Thursday where the family will receive friends from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday at Mater Dei’s Assumption Catholic Church.  Burial with military honors provided by Philip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW will follow in Westlawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels sent in care of the funeral home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.

Online condolences to www.brennanmathenafh.com.