BOMBER MEMORIAL

RANDAL MARK "RANDY" BELL (WEBB) ~ Class of 1972 Honorary
October 29, 1952 - October 7, 2003





Randy Bell, 50, died Tuesday, October 7, 2003, after many years of heart related health problems. He was born in Van Wert, OH on October 29, 1952, to Harry S. and Ilo M. Bell. Randy moved to the Tri-Cities in 1954 where he lived until his death.

He spent his childhood in Richland and attended Richland Schools with the Class of 1972.

He was employed by Bechtel and worked on construction projects in Africa for three years. He later worked as a laborer for various Hanford contractors. He was eventually forced into early retirement by disabling health problems.

Randy bought a small parcel of land in Franklin County, planted apple trees and began a second career as an orchardist. Randy; his business partner, Robert Hendrickson ^Jr; and Randy's wife, Nancy McMurray, worked the orchard and marketed their fruit as "Orchard Boys and Girl." He enjoyed working in the orchard but eventually sold it in 2002 and became fully retired.

He married Nancy McMurray and had twenty happy years together. Their son, Tyler Samuel Bell, was born on October 23, 1983. Randy was a life-long baseball fan. He enjoyed his time spent coaching youth baseball. He and his son, Tyler, spent hours together playing catch and improving Tyler's baseball skills. Randy and Nancy eventually grew apart and divorced, yet maintained a loving relationship as a family.

Randy was from a large family and nothing meant more to him than his relationships with his parents, brothers and sisters. Randy brought other relatives such as in-laws and nieces and nephews into his close family circle. Randy loved to cook and often scheduled lavish meals with big family gatherings. His many friends looked forward to dinner invitations from Randy.

He was generous to a fault and had a giving spirit. He was generous in his relationships with his close friends. He loved dogs, cats and other animals. He always had a special dog such as Zeke, Libby and CoCo Bell and his seven current cats.

Randy loved to hunt and fish, and he spent many hours in the field with his lab, Zeke, and his friends.

Randy felt blessed to be able to renew an old friend, Debbie Lukis Lee ('78). Randy and Debbie shared three wonderful loving years together. They traveled together, attended concerts and especially enjoyed riding their motorcycles. Randy loved Debbie deeply and felt lucky their relationship had come at this point in his life. Randy developed a close relationship with Debbie's children: Zack, Leah and Ashia. Also, Randy and Debbie enjoyed traveling to visit their son, Tyler, in Curlew and Seattle. Randy treasured the new relationships with Debbie's children, parents, brothers and sisters.

For the last couple of years Randy became very active and a valued member of the Richland Fellowship. This relationship strengthened Randy as well as providing a service to the Fellowship. Randy became active in counseling young adults who had found trouble in their lives. Not only was Randy's counseling valuable to those he counseled, but also provided Randy a great deal of satisfaction.

Randy was preceded in death by his mother, Ilo M. Webb; his father, Harry S. Bell; and his stepfather, Lionel F. Spider Webb; his brothers, Dennis O. Brown ('58) and Terry Lee Webb ('63).

Randy leaves behind his wife, Debbie; his son, Tyler; and his stepchildren: Leah Lee, Zack Lang and Ashia Lang. He is also survived by his sisters, Bonnie Webb Roe ('59) (Bill Roe ['59]) and Vicki Bell Beahm (Chuck Beahm); and his brothers, Gary L. Webb ('64) and Kevin Bell. In addition he will be missed by his sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Webb-Aeschliman ('62) and Jackie Apple; brothers-in-law, Eric (Danielle) Lukins ('81) and Kurtiss (Shannon) Lukins; sisters-in-law: Ruth (Tim) Stezcker, Sherill Lukins (Tom) Collins ('75), Deanne Lukins (Mike) Wingart ('79 honorary); mother-in-law and father-in-law, Jerald and Sandra Lukins; grandmother, Hazel Curry; former wife, Nancy McMurray-Bell; nine nieces; 15 nephews and 36 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Randy will be missed by his special friends: Mike Manley, Tommy Far, James Acker, Kenny Johnson ('65), Ron Griswold ('66), Doug Walker, Andy W., Bill W. and all his dear friends from the Richland Fellowship.

Funeral services were held at Einan's Funeral Home in Richland at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 11, 2003, with viewing from 9am-2pm.

In Randy's memory donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.

Express your thoughts and memories in the online Guest Book on the Einan's website.

NOTE: His sister, Bonnie Webb Roe ('58), passed away October 30, 2022.

Bomber Memorial put together by Maren Smyth ('63/'64) and edited by Shirley COLLINGS Haskins ('66).