Anthony V. Bell

Anthony Vincent Bell, Tony or Vince to his friends, died Feb. 1 in his Ripon home. He was 93.

Bell was born in Oakland on July 27, 1923 and spent most of his early years growing up there as well as in Richmond and Weed. He volunteered for, and proudly served, in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, where he flew 37 missions, including D-Day, out of Norwich, England in a B-24 he and his crew named “Topper."  He returned to the States in July 1944 and received an honorable discharge in October 1945.  Bell married Connie Reina on June 22, 1947 and together they raised seven children. He was recalled to service during the Korean conflict and remained in the Air Force until he retired after 20 years of service in August 1968. He quickly found employment and a whole new career as a computer coordinator at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he retired 20 years later in 1988.

 
Anthony V. Bell

Bell derived great pleasure traveling with his wife to multiple states and countries. They especially enjoyed the trips sponsored by the 467th Bomb Group, as they were able to share memories among old and new friends.

Bell saved one of his most memorable trips for last. In May of 2016, accompanied by his son, Steve, he and 24 other WWII veterans boarded an Honor Flight out of Oakland, California. The mission: see as many war memorials as they could in three days, including the WWII Memorial. The veterans were greeted with applause wherever they went. Bell could not stop talking about this trip for weeks after his return home to Ripon, the town he had grown to love over the last three decades.

Bell is survived by Connie, his wife of nearly 70 years, and their children: Jackie (Tom) Fitzgerald, Steve (Jean) Bell, Linda Thaxton, Carolyn Bell, Sue (Bob) Griffin, Tony (Becky) Bell and Mary (Forrest) Hickman. He will be missed by his 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. 

The family is especially grateful for the support and kindness from Bethany Home and Optimal Hospice Care. Remembrances can be made to Bethany Home, 930 W. Main Street, Ripon, California 95366 and Optimal Hospice Care, 1101 Sylvan Avenue, Ste. B-10, Modesto, California 95350.

A memorial with military honors will be held on Friday, March 3, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. A celebration of Bell's life will be held the same day from 1-4 p.m. in Ripon at the American Legion Clinton McCausland Post 190, 206 S. Stockton Ave.