Bernard Bell, 80

Bernard Bell, 80 of West Portsmouth, died Friday, December 22, 2023 at Southern Ohio Medical Center. He was born April 19, 1943 in Monticello, Kentucky to the late Ivor Lee and Rose Pearl Hawkins Bell.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a step daughter, Amber Hamilton, 2 brothers; Kenneth Lee Bell and Kirby Yale Bell, along with a sister Betty Lott.

Bernard was the owner and operator of Bell's Body Shop in West Portsmouth, which he started in 1969. He was also a former member of the Civic Forum and the Labors Union. Bernard built many Soap Box Derby cars for area children including one that won the All American Soap Box Derby in Akron.

Bernard is survived by his wife Lydia Bell, a son Eric (Jackie) Bell, 2 daughters; Jenny (Barry) Carver and Lisa (Joe Leightenheimer) Montgomery, step children: Heather Hamilton, Amy Sams, Kyle Moore and Jason Hamilton, 2 sisters; Judy Lawson and Barbara Lawson, 9 grandchildren: Trish Chadwick, Barry Carver, Joshua Montgomery, Tori Montgomery, Jack Bell, Max Bell, Reece Bell, Brody Bell and Liam Moore, along with 4 great grandchildren; Logan Chadwick, Madalyn Chadwick, Lorelei Carver and Vera Carver.

Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 27,2023 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral home in West Portsmouth with Danny Thompson officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday starting at 11:00 AM. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.