Cecil Albert Bell

December 3, 1914 – March 6, 2011

Cecil A. Bell, resident of Ponca City, passed away Sunday, March 6, 2011, at his home. He was 96.

Cecil was born on December 3, 1914, in Lyford, TX. He was the second of five children born to Thomas A. and Lois C. (Hawkins) Bell. He spent his younger years in north-central Oklahoma living in the Pond Creek, Nash, and Hunter areas, before moving to Perry, OK, at about 15 years of age.

During high school he served in the National Guard and worked for the CCC, returning to Perry to graduate in 1935. He played football for Perry High School and earned a football scholarship to Oklahoma A&M, but chose to go to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. to help support his family.

He moved his parents and siblings to Ponca City. Six months later, they were sent to Drumright, OK, for a year before moving back to Ponca City.

On July 27, 1940, Cecil and Doyle B. Fiscus were married in Ponca City. His 40 years of service with the phone company also took him to Vinita and Stillwater, but most of his work was in Ponca City. He retired as a switchman on July 1, 1970.

Cecil was baptized as a child in the First Baptist Church while living in Hunter, OK. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Disciples Sunday School Class.

While Cecil’s sons were growing up, he was active as a Boy Scout leader and he helped coach their football and baseball teams.

Cecil and Doyle enjoyed traveling after his retirement, making trips to the East Coast and to Alaska.

He is survived by his two sons, Dick Bell of Ponca City and Chuck Bell of Edmond, OK; seven grandchildren, Dr. Andrea (Bell) Harl and her husband Chris of Tulsa, OK, Micah Bell of Vancouver, WA, Kera Bell of Edmond, OK, Dr. Jordan (Bell) Morton and her husband Paul of Edmond, OK, Christine (Bell) Hicks and her husband Mark of Skiatook, OK, Jason Bell and his wife Kim of Cold Springs, TX, and Jacob Bell of Ponca City, OK; nine great-grandchildren; brother Wayne D. Bell of Ponca City; sister-in-law Mary Louise Bell; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Doyle Beatrice Bell, his parents Thomas and Lois Bell, sisters Ollie Bell and Norma Troxell, and brother Arthur L. Bell.

The service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the First Baptist Church Chapel with Rev. Jack Shamburger officiating. A private family burial will precede the service at Resthaven Memorial Park.