Joseph "Joe" Bell

WEAVERVILLE – Joseph “Joe” Bell, age 74, of Weaverville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at his home after a short battle with cancer.

Joe spent his life teaching, coaching, mentoring, speaking for Gideon’s International and serving his Lord. He was a faithful member of Flat Creek Baptist Church since 1977 where he has served in many different roles with the church. He was a Deacon, served on several committees, a Sunday school teacher, he also served the community in many different ways. Food was a language of love for Joe. One of his favorite ways of serving his community was taking food to the WNC Rescue Mission. Most of the time it was food that they could not acquire easily or readily.

Joe was known as “Coach Bell” for being a football and track coach. However, it was more than coaching for him. It was an investment into young lives. He formed many special and lifelong bonds with these student athletes and their families.

He had a way of making everyone he met and came into contact with feel like they were the most important person.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Willda Young Bell; he is also survived by his son, Grayson Bell and wife, Cindy; two daughters, Emily Wheeler and husband, Charlie, and Adria and husband, Daryl Whittemore; grandchildren, Brooke Davis, Collin Wheeler, Camden Herron, Hailey Wheeler, Jackson Bell, Sadie Whittemore, Dawson Gregory, Laney Whittemore, Bentley King, Sophia King, Charlie King and coming in April, Lee Herron.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Pleasant Hill Baptist church, 754 Aiken Road, Asheville with Reverends Brian Hanrahan and Keith Watkins officiating.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. 

In Joe’s memory, the family asks for contributions to be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 2292, Weaverville, NC 28787.

The family would like to extend a huge Thank You to everyone who has called, sent a card, brought food or visited.