RIP William Bell

By Staff

September 4-5, 2014

William James Bell  May 19, 1931 - September 4, 2013

William (Bill) Bell, of San Marino, CA, died September 4, 2013 of pneumonia at San Gabriel Valley Medical Center, San Gabriel, CA following a cascade of illnesses during the prior year. He was 82.

He is survived by his partner of 23 years, Lora O. Smith, of San Marino, CA, daughter, Larkin Abitabilo (Jim), grandsons Nolan and Devon of Bristol, CT, and son, Jason, of Chicago.

Bill was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Albert Carman Bell and Anna Loeblich Bell on May 19, 1931. He graduated from University of Alberta School of Commerce, 1953, with a degree in accounting. While there he developed a love of acting in their amateur theater group. He was accepted at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater in New York City where he acted under Sanford Meisner & Sydney Pollack, and danced with Martha Graham. Some classmates were Robert Duvall, Ken Kerchavel and the late Suzanne Pleshette. Next came work in television at the Canadian Broadcasting Co., soon followed by a contract with Warner Bros. Studios which brought him to L.A. in the early 60's where he did multiple supporting roles in westerns and other series including "Bronco" with Ty Hardin, "Cheyenne", and "Surfside 6". When westerns succumbed to sit-coms, he returned to his original field as a cost accountant for various international firms.

After retiring in 1991, he acted in community theater and did work in independent films, including the 1999 College Emmy Drama film winner "The List". He loved cooking, especially home-made sausage and pickles. Other hobbies included counted cross-stitch embroidery, of which he did extraordinary pieces that will be heirlooms for his daughter's family. He and Lora cruised the world and visited all 7 continents.

His ashes will be buried in Westlawn Cemetery, Edmonton, at a later date. Rest in peace, dear friend. You will always be loved.

Born: 5/19/1931, Edmonton, Alberta, California, U.S.A.

Died: 9/4/2013, San Gabriel, California, U.S.A.

Bronco (TV) - 1962 – (Charlie Streeter, Sanderson)

Cheyenne (TV) – 196?