Obituary
After a 7 ½ year battle with cancer, Donald LeRoy "Roy" Bell passed away Tues., May 20, 2014 in Sterling with his family by his side. No services will be held.
Roy was born Aug. 5, 1939, in Twin Falls, Idaho to Donald Harrison and Reda Christina Duff Bell. After a short stint in the US Army he moved from Twin Falls to a career in music. He was a professional musician for over 56 years. Roy Bell and the Bel-Tones entertained with many of the big names in country music; including Ray Price, Dave Dudley, and Tanya Tucker. He spent the next 14 years traveling on the road with a home base in California. He then returned to Idaho for a few short years. In 1980 he and LeeAnn formed the band "Sloe Ginn" In 1983 they were hired to play in Sterling at Shads for one week during the fair. Over the next 30 years they called Sterling their home. They worked all of N.E. Colorado and also went back on the road for a few years. Along with his band, Roy was a disc jockey for KSTC, driver for the railroad, field training officers for the Logan Co. Sheriff's office in detentions, served as chaplain and commander of the American Legion. He was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church. After his retirement he enjoyed recording music with his friends, Ardenn, OJ, Rodney, Jesse, Jesse D., Howard and Festus. He also enjoyed playing music with his favorite son-in-law; Little Jimmy Schneider, fishing, camping and working on his model cars.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, LeeAnn Hjelm of Sterling; sons Donald Lee Bell and wife Karen of Oakton, VA, Jason Hjelm and wife Gidget of Humphrey, NE, Justin Hjelm and wife Christie of Foster City, CA; daughters Christina Dowty and husband Joel of Elverta, CA and Janice Schneider and husband Jimmy of Sterling, CO; sisters Debbie Boyer and husband Ray and Gwen Jones all of Caldell, Idaho; little sister Marie Axtell; mother-in-law Leona Wray of Blackfoot, Idaho; brother-in-law Tom Wray of Twin Falls, Idaho; 17 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and numerous cousins and special Aunt Deenie of Salt Lake City, Utah.
He was preceded in death by father-in-law Leon Wray; pops Marvin Arnold; grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles and best friend Dale Axtell.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Roy Bell Memorial in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral home..
Roy was born Aug. 5, 1939, in Twin Falls, Idaho to Donald Harrison and Reda Christina Duff Bell. After a short stint in the US Army he moved from Twin Falls to a career in music. He was a professional musician for over 56 years. Roy Bell and the Bel-Tones entertained with many of the big names in country music; including Ray Price, Dave Dudley, and Tanya Tucker. He spent the next 14 years traveling on the road with a home base in California. He then returned to Idaho for a few short years. In 1980 he and LeeAnn formed the band "Sloe Ginn" In 1983 they were hired to play in Sterling at Shads for one week during the fair. Over the next 30 years they called Sterling their home. They worked all of N.E. Colorado and also went back on the road for a few years. Along with his band, Roy was a disc jockey for KSTC, driver for the railroad, field training officers for the Logan Co. Sheriff's office in detentions, served as chaplain and commander of the American Legion. He was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church. After his retirement he enjoyed recording music with his friends, Ardenn, OJ, Rodney, Jesse, Jesse D., Howard and Festus. He also enjoyed playing music with his favorite son-in-law; Little Jimmy Schneider, fishing, camping and working on his model cars.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, LeeAnn Hjelm of Sterling; sons Donald Lee Bell and wife Karen of Oakton, VA, Jason Hjelm and wife Gidget of Humphrey, NE, Justin Hjelm and wife Christie of Foster City, CA; daughters Christina Dowty and husband Joel of Elverta, CA and Janice Schneider and husband Jimmy of Sterling, CO; sisters Debbie Boyer and husband Ray and Gwen Jones all of Caldell, Idaho; little sister Marie Axtell; mother-in-law Leona Wray of Blackfoot, Idaho; brother-in-law Tom Wray of Twin Falls, Idaho; 17 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and numerous cousins and special Aunt Deenie of Salt Lake City, Utah.
He was preceded in death by father-in-law Leon Wray; pops Marvin Arnold; grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles and best friend Dale Axtell.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Roy Bell Memorial in care of Chaney-Reager Funeral home..
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Bell, please visit our flower store.
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