AFCM (AW) Edward S. Bell, USN (Ret)
<p class="s2"><span class="s2">Edward Stanley Bell, 69, of Galatia,</span><span class="s2"> Illinois passed away on June </span><span class="s2">17, </span><span class="s2">2016, at </span><span class="s2">his home surrounded by family.</span>
<p class="s2"><span class="s2">Ed was born in Williamson County</span><span class="s2">, Illinois to the late Lawrence Douglas and </span><span class="s2">Annadean</span><span class="s2"> </span><span class="s2">(Doughty) Bell. He married his high school sweetheart, Marsha Wilson on August 5, 1967.</span>
<p class="s2"><span class="s2">Ed</span><span class="s2"> served his country faithfully and honorably for 28 yea</span><span class="s2">rs in the U. S. Navy, retiring as a Command Master Chief. He was stationed in Barbers Point, Hawaii: Atsugi, Japan;</span><span class="s2"> Alameda, California; Beeville, Texas; and Norfolk, Virginia. </span><span class="s2">From 1968-1970</span><span class="s2">, he served aboard</span><span class="s2"> jeep carriers in and out of Vietnam. He spent the last 18 years in the Navy at Norfolk serving in Early Warning Squadrons RV AW-120, VAW 121, and VAW 122. The squadrons served aboard the Aircraft Carriers: USS Eisenhower, USS Forrestal and the USS Kitty Hawk. He also served three years with the Navel Safety Center at NAS Norfolk. His last three years, he served with the Circuit Rider</span><span class="s2">s, an HC-2 Helicopter Squadron at N</span> <span class="s2">AS Norfolk, serving in Desert Storm and </span><span class="s2">Desert</span><span class="s2"> Shield. He traveled the world, even being a part of the Detail that guarded President Ronald Reagan in England. He served his country well.</span>
<p class="s2"><span class="s2">After retiring from the Navy, he and Marsha moved back to Illinois, where he drove a school bus for Galatia Schools, and was known as "Mr. Ed". He was also a deacon and trustee at </span><span class="s2">Harco</span><span class="s2"> Baptist Church. Through the years he was a Little League Coach and also worked with the NJROTC Program at </span><span class="s2">Grandby</span><span class="s2"> High School, where his sons were members of the group. </span><span class="s2">For</span><span class="s2"> all his help, he was made an </span><span class="s2">Honorary</span><span class="s2"> Admiral in the Granby NJROTC. He was also a member of the American Legion in </span><span class="s2">Thompsonville </span><span class="s2">and the Ocean View Fleet Reserve </span><span class="s2">Association</span><span class="s2">, Branch 60.</span>
<p class="s2"><span class="s2">He is survived by his wife of 48 </span><span class="s2">years, Marsha; two sons: Michael (Cheryl) Bell of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee and Steven (Sharon) Bell of New Iberia, Louisiana. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Jacob and Megan Bell and Lane and Garrett Bell; two sisters: Audrey Graves and Shirley Russell; two brothers: Larry (Marsha) Bell and Robert (Mollie) Bell; and his mother-in-law: Wilma Wilson.</span>
<p class="s2">He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law: Sam Graves and James Russell, and his father-in-law, Howard Wilson.
<p class="s2">Visitation will be Monday, June 20 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Sloan Funeral Home. The funeral will be at 11:00 on Tuesday, June 21 at the Sloan Funeral Home with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Rev. David Miller and Rev. Roy Hughes will officiate and burial will follow in Lebanon Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded at the gravesite. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lebanon Cemetery or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
<p class="s2">"Fair Winds and Following Seas" Master Chief Bell!