Walter Michael "Mike" Bell

January 17, 1950 - August 13, 2018

Walter Michael “Mike” Bell, 68, of Columbia, went home to be with the Lord on August, 13, 2018. His memorial service will be held Sunday, August 19, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Gateway Baptist Church, 1651 Dutch Fork Road, Irmo, SC 29063. The Reverend Don Brock will officiate. The family will receive friends in the Sanctuary following the service. Born in Darlington, SC on January 17, 1950, Mike was the son of the late Walter Malcolm Bell, Jr. and Jeanette Hite Bell. Mike was a graduate of Hartsville High School (’68), Wingate College (‘70), and the University of South Carolina (‘73). Mike spent his career in sales traveling for John Deere, Shakespeare, and Silstar before finishing his career with the SBDC/Winthrop University. His work took him all over the world. Throughout his life, Mike loved to spend time outdoors hunting, fishing, fixing things, and having fun with his family and friends. He was a masterful storyteller and he loved to have a good time. Surviving is his loving wife of 47 years, Deborah L. “Debbie” Bell; daughters, Leanne B. Sheik (Justin) of Lexington and Blair B. Nelson (Jacob) of Gilbert; sister, Cynthia Johnson (Johnny) of Chapin; grandchildren, Blakeley, Carlyn, and Avery Sheik, Annabell and Hadley Nelson; as well as devoted family dogs, Izzie and Jack. Those who preceded him in death were his parents. The family would like to express sincere appreciation for Dr. James Wells and the caring staff of Lexington Oncology. In lieu of flowers, the Bell family asked that memorials be made to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (alexslemonade.org), 111 Presidential Blvd., Suite 203 Bala Cynwyd, and PA 19004 USA to fund childhood cancer research or Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (www.paals.org), 221 North Grampian Hills Rd., Columbia, SC 29223.