William Robert Bell, 76, passed away in the early hours of January 11, 2017 at his home in the Six Forks community after a short battle with lung cancer. Bobby, born September 29, 1940, was the second child of the late Raymond "Dook" Bell and Maria Lee Savage Bell. He was also preceded in the death by his older brother, Raymond "Skeebo" Bell III; his only sister, Ouida Ellen Bell; and his sister-in-law, Kate Frohlich Bell. He is survived by his brother, Dr. D. Hodges (Jon) Bell; two nieces, Dr. Maria Katherine Bell of Manhattan, KS and SuEllen Bell Darnell of Richmond, VA as well as one nephew, Karl Hodges Bell (Karen) of Tucson, AZ and one sister-in-law, Georgia R. Bell of Burgaw, NC. Two grand nephews, Micah Julian Bell and Austin Darnell survive along with one grand niece, Devan Darnell.

"Mr. Bobby", "Bobby", "Uncle Bob", was known as an outspoken person, a man who knew a lot about anything mechanical and loved vehicles of any type, including all types of farm machinery, and the challenges in keeping them operating. He was always ready to offer an opinion whether it was popular or not. He was a word smith and many of his opinions were much closer to the truth than some people would like to admit. He never wavered in his desire to help his family and friends in whatever they might need him to do. If anything mechanical went wrong, he was always there with a practical solution for the problem.

He lived in Pender County all of his life and he loved the area. As a proud graduate of Burgaw High School, Class of 1959, he loved his former classmates, all of whom were his life-long friends. He was known as a storehouse of knowledge about the history of Burgaw, Pender County, and its people for much of the 20th Century. His tales were both humorous and revealing of the character of the local people about whom he spoke. "Mr. Freeman and the mule", "Harvey and the Molasses" and " The Dynamite Explosion" were among the funniest of his repertoire.

For several years he was employed by Nash Equipment Company of Burgaw, a job he thoroughly enjoyed. He also enjoyed making a garden every year, usually giving away most of what he produced, especially watermelons, cantaloupes and different types of greens and other vegetables.

Visitation will be at the Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw from 6 until 8 on Friday, January 13. Graveside services will be held at the Savage Family Cemetery on Murraytown Road at 11a.m. on Saturday, January 14. Pallbearers will be Brent Corbett, Scott Miller, Robert Kenan, Douglas Kenan, Will Rand and James Cox. Honorary pallbearers will be Leddell Casey, Jesse John Cartwright, John Baker, John W. Reade III, Charles T. Bell, and W.O. "Mitch" Mitchell.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Burgaw.