James William Bell went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at the age of 76.

He was born on Sept. 17, 1928 in Maysville. He graduated from Wayne High School in 1946. He married Bernice West on Dec. 15, 1950 in Purcell.

Bell graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in pharmacy. In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and worked as a pharmacist from April 1951 until March of 1953. He spent 18 months in Korea at an Army Evacuation Hospital.

They moved to Sapulpa in 1953 and he worked as a pharmacist at Humes Drugstore.

They bought the store in 1971 and owned and operated Bell Drug for 15 years until he sold the store in 1986. He retired from City Drug of Coweta in 1996.

James was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Sapulpa and served as a deacon there.

He enjoyed going to church, watching westerns on television and being with his family.

James and Bernice celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 15, 2000.

He was preceded in death by his parents J.C. and Stella Bell.

He was a loving husband and father and was known as "Sonny" to his family and "Papa" to his three grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice, of the home; son Greg Bell, of Tulsa; daughter Debbie Bell, of Sapulpa; daughter Stephanie Wilson and husband Brian, of Sapulpa.

Granddaughter Jamie Wilson and grandsons Seth and Dallas Wilson, of Sapulpa; sister Wanda Ward, of Purcell; sister Chessteen Olson and husband Alvin, of Lexington; brother Ben Bell and wife Twila, of Moore; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services have been set for 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27, 2004 in the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Doyle Pryor officiating.

Interment will follow in the Green Hill Memorial Gardens.

Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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