Steven Bell

Steven Christopher Bell of Hudgins, Virginia died November 20, 2015 at Sanders Retirement Community in Gloucester, VA. Steve was born in Tokyo, Japan on October 25, 1957 to Robert Henry Bell and Ann Marie (Bell) Lewis. In his early years Steve lived in Japan and Germany before the family settled in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He earned his BFA from Kansas City Art Institute and his Masters of Education from Lesley College. He married the love of his life Tilly Woodward of Kansas City in 1980.

After settling in Pella, Iowa, Steven served as Director of Community Services. Well served by his ability to write and secure grant funding, he helped expand cultural and athletic programs through the creation of new municipal facilities including a public safety complex, park expansions, a new soccer complex as well as a swimming pool and tennis courts. This led to the position of Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Kirksville, Missouri where he also served on the board of Kirksville Art Association. He retired to Hudgins, Va. in 2011. Steve loved cooking, gardening, working with wood and building beautiful toys and furniture. His passion for well-designed vehicles, including his BMW R75/5 and 1973 Cougar convertible, kept him busy.

Steven was preceded in death by his father Robert Henry Bell. He is survived by his children Adrian (Seth) Crawford of Davenport, IA and Walker Bell of Iowa City, IA; grandson Ira Crawford; mother Ann Marie Lewis of Hudgins, VA; former spouse Tilly Woodward of Grinnell, IA; brother Ronald Bell of Lynchburg, VA; step-sisters Arlene Shepperd and Marilyn Orange, both of Chester, VA, Lesley Pond of White Stone, VA and Sammie Hudson of Salem, VA.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 723, Mathews, VA. 23109. Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. No services are planned at this time.