Dr. William Robert Bell III of the Paces Community passed away Friday, April 15, 2016 at his home. He was born in Ottawa, IL on September 18, 1950 and was 65 years old. Son of the late William Robert Bell Jr. and Elizabeth Van De Warker, he was married to Dr. Jacqueline Fogarty Bell for 42 years. Dr. Bell was director of Emergency Services at Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital for the last ten years. In 1974, Dr. Bell graduated from with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Albany Medical College of Union University with a BS in Biology and MD Degree, respectively. He subsequently completed a Residency in General Surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York, NY followed by a one year Residency in Orthopedics at Duke University in Durham, NC. He was later an Emergency Room Physician at Durham Regional Hospital before joining the South Boston Clinic as a General Surgeon. He also practiced as a Surgeon at Danville Regional Hospital, before becoming an emergency room physician, first at Danville Regional and later at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Dr. Bell also had a passion for history and obtained a Master’s Degree from Norwich University in Military History. He taught American History and Civil War History at Danville Community College. He also had a great love for animals and rescued and raised many dogs and cats. He was member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Danville.
Survivors include: His wife of 42 years, Dr. Jacqueline Fogarty Bell of South Boston One daughter, Allison Elizabeth Bell of Savannah, GA Two sons Christopher William Bell of Tampa, FL and Patrick William Bell of South Boston A sister, Dr. Debra Bell and husband Dr. Tom Flotte of Faribault, MN A niece, Ariel Flotte and nephew, William Flotte He was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Bell A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Danville on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at 1:30 PM. The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home on Monday evening from 6:00 PM until 9:00 P M and other times at his home. A private service will be held at a later in Oakwood memorial Park, Ottawa, IL. Those wishing to give memorials should consider the Halifax County Humane Society, PO Box 969, South Boston, VA 24592 or the Danville Area Humane Society, 996 South Boston Road, Danville, VA 24540. Online condolences may be made at www.powellfuneralinc.com. Arrangements are by Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA 24592.
Dr. Bell has been laid to rest in the Garden of Inspiration.