Walter "Jim" Bell

Walter Jim Bell passed peacefully on Monday, September 23, 2024. He was born on February 21, 1931 to Walter and Marguerite (Schuck) Bell in Battle Creek, Michigan. His greatest joy was his marriage to Ella Joy (McKay) Bell. They fell in love and were married on June 19, 1954. From that moment on, they were dedicated to building a loving family and home together in Augusta, Michigan, where they lived for over sixty years. In June 2024, the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together with their family and friends.

Jim, as he’s known to most of his friends and family, graduated from Western Michigan University. Driven by an early desire to support his community and country, Jim proudly served as Sergeant 1st Class with the U.S. Army following World War II in Austria. Upon his return home to Battle Creek, Jim entered a banking career that lasted for over three decades. He retired from Comerica Bank in Battle Creek as chairman of the board and president in 1987. Although hardworking and ambitious, he maintained that honesty and integrity were integral to his professional achievements.

He was active as an officer and board member for several financial and banking organizations. Always eager to be involved with the local business community, Jim was the first President of the BC/CAL/KAL Inland Port Development Corporation, a member of Battle Creek Unlimited, the Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce, the Battle Creek Downtown Development, and Battle Creek United Way.

In his “retirement,” Jim began to offer sales and finance consulting services, an endeavor that took him on travels to Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Asia and Central America. He then owned and founded Select Financial Services, a financial company dedicated to empowering and uplifting his clients that might not have otherwise found support in obtaining financial services. A lifelong learner, Jim continued to pursue education and learning opportunities throughout his life. 

Although his strong work ethic was evident by his professional accomplishments, he will be most remembered by his family and friends for his warmth, loyalty, and his ability to listen and empathize with others. With a lifelong love of the outdoors and travel, Jim took many trips throughout his lifetime, including frequent fishing trips to Canada and Alaska with friends and relatives. Boating on Lake Michigan and camping trips around the Great Lakes were adventures he shared with his family. His wanderlust also took him further afield, to the deserts of the Middle East, the inside of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, to the Great Wall of China and the tulip fields of the Netherlands. Always one to embrace change and never shying from technology, in his later years Jim kept in close touch with all his children and grandchildren, some of whom were scattered throughout the world, always keeping up to date with their lives, interests and accomplishments.

His entrepreneurial spirit frequently lent itself to inventive and creative endeavors, including assembling a log cabin from fallen trees on his property at which he would later enjoy entertaining friends and family. His grandchildren fondly remember him giving tours of his woods on a vintage red tractor. He always had an interesting or quirky story to tell about his day to day adventures.

Jim is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife, Ella Joy, his children Jane (Stephen) Greenman, Jim (Angela) Bell, Julie (Paul) DenUyl and Janet (Jason) Rogers. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Amanda Greenman Navarra, Laura Briley, Jeff Greenman, Leslie Marvin, Paul DenUyl, James DenUyl, Daniel Bell, John DenUyl, and Jack Rogers, as well as nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for family, friends and community members wishing to honor Jim will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 18, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be given in Jim’s memory to an organization close to your heart. 

Personal message for Jim's family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com