Walter R. Bell, Sr., died at his home on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, at the age of 87. He was born in 1924, the seventh of ten children born to Levi and Leona Bell. As a young child, he moved with his parents from North Dakota to Montana, where he was raised on the family farm between Conrad and Shelby.
In 1945, he married Betty Schaeffer of Cut Bank and they were married for 54 years. As a young married couple, Walter farmed until he went to work for the Union Oil Refinery in Cut Bank. In 1971, the family moved to Kansas, where Walter joined his brother, Vernon, installing irrigation and natural gas pipelines. He sold the business in 1978, and moved with his wife to Helena, MT., where he worked for his sons until his retirement.
Walter was a kind and gentle man, with a quiet sense of humor. He loved his family and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. A hard worker throughout his life, Walter taught his sons by example how to work hard but also how to have fun as a family while camping and boating on the lakes of northern Montana.
Walter was pre-deceased by his first wife, Betty, and by his grand-daughter Mandy. He married Patricia Aylstock of Helena in 2000. In addition to his wife, Walter leaves behind his three sons: Stan (Jeanine) Bell of Colorado City, Colo.; Wally (LaDonna) Bell of Helena, Mont.; and Rick (Mary) Bell of Helena, Mont.; step-son Fred (Fely) Aylstock of Seattle, Wash.; and Lisa (John) Engstrom of Rawlings, Wyo. Walter has seven grandchildren, one step-grandchild, and 17 great grandchildren, with two new great grandbabies due in the new year. He is also survived by two sisters, Donna Johnson of Seattle, Wash., and Norma Parker of Colorado Springs, Colo., one brother, Vernon Bell of Moses Lake, Wash., former brother-in-law Charlie Schaeffer of Cut Bank, Mont., along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
At his request, cremation has taken place. A private interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Helena. The Bell family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Dodge and the staff of the Rocky Mountain Hospice for their compassionate care. To offer condolences, please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com
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Chris says
May your sons find comfort knowing, that you and Betty are together again.