John Bell

In honor of John Bell
John Joseph Bell of Mobile, Alabama, will remain a beloved brother, father and grandfather as well as a renowned jet and helicopter pilot, who made his final flight into the heavens, earning his second set of wings, on August 1st, 2022, from Inman, South Carolina.
Services will be held at a later date in Devers, Texas at the Whittington Family Cemetery where he will be laid to rest next to his mother, among generations of family.
Johnny was born on April 29th, 1951 to John and Joellen Bell in Mobile, Alabama. A member of the civil air patrol at age 15, he was taught to fly planes by his father at the age of 16, and continued flying well into his 60's. During his long career he was offered the opportunity to be one of the first pilots for the FedEx shipping company as they prepared to purchase their first cargo planes to begin shipping by air. As a charter jet Captain, he was highly sought after due to his reputation for safety and reliability. John proudly served in the Army as a Specialist in west Germany in the early 1970's during the Vietnam era. He received the Army Occupational Metal, the National Defense Service Metal and the M-16 Sharpshooter marksmanship qualification. John also enjoyed a career with the Mobile County Sheriffs Department and was proud to serve his community and his family through those means. John's girls have fond memories of those years, and their time growing up in Mobile among their parents wonderful friends and their families, with whom some shared his love and passion for flying. The family cherishes the relationships with all their beloved friends and family that were an important part of their lives in Mobile, Alabama, and contributed to many fond memories the family holds very dear, today. John enjoyed all things related to flying, he truly relished every flight and his dreams were to be able to take everyone he knew for a plane ride. He wanted more than anything to share the joy he felt. John also enjoyed photography, drawing, sci-fi movies, watercolor painting and Cajun ballroom dancing to Zydeco music in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana with a group of ladies who called themselves "The Wolf Pack" and named him their "alpha." He was known for his humor, his ability to tell a good story, his desire for the very best for everyone, and his desire to help people in need. He is survived by Wendy, his brothers James and Joel, his daughters Angela, Amanda and Alison, and 6 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, father and a grandson. The family would personally like to thank all of those who knew John, for being a part of his life. The family will happily receive correspondence at 311 Coggins Shore Road, Inman, SC 29349 for any who would like to share in his memory. We love you Dad, Daddy, Papaw, Johnny, JB. We are so sad to see you go, but we will live to make you proud. Goodbye for now.