In Memory: Leland Bell, 90, Decorated War Veteran

Editor's note: the following obituary was submitted by Lakeside Funeral Home.

Leland A. Bell, 90, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016, after a brief illness. He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Elsie Bell.

Survivors include his sons; Devoy (Glenda) Bell, and Smitty (Betty) Bell, Grandchildren; Jimmy Bell, Steve Bell (Marla), Brian Bell, Jennifer (Wesley) Cupp, Sabrina Medley, 11 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews also survive.

Leland A. Bell was born March 13, 1926 in Cherokee County and has been a lifelong resident of Georgia.

Mr. Bell married Elsie Croft Bell on February 19, 1944. Leland and Elsie have two sons, Devoy Bell and Smitty Bell, 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was a member of Sunnyside Church of God.

CW4 Bell was drafted into the Army on June 8, 1944. He completed basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida, and was sent overseas on Dec. 10, 1944.

His overseas assignment was with Company H, 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division. While assigned to the Heavy Weapons Company, he participated in three major campaigns: Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. After returning to the United States, he was assigned to Headquarters Detachment War Department with duty in the Pentagon until his discharge in May 1946.

He enlisted in Company G, 122nd Infantry Canton, Georgia on Dec. 19, 1947. During his 41 years of service to the Georgia Army National Guard, he not only served the Canton unit until October 1972, he also served Company C, 108th Armor (Dalton), Headquarters, 110th Maintenance Battalion (Atlanta), Headquarters, 170th MP Battalion (Atlanta), and Troop Command Headquarters (Atlanta/Decatur).

Leland’s Military awards and decorations include, Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, European, African, Middle East Campaign Ribbon with 3 campaign stars, WW II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, The Oglethorpe Distinguished Service Medal, Georgia Meritorious Service Medal, Georgia Commendation Medal, Georgia Service Medal, Georgia State Active Duty Ribbon, Georgia Recruiting Ribbon and Distinguished Unit Ribbon.

CW4 Bell was employed full time by the Georgia Army National Guard on Feb. 1, 1948 and continued until his retirement in September 1987. He was an active member of American Legion Post 45 where he was awarded Legionnaire of the Year. The Georgia National Guard Armory was dedicated to Leland A. Bell in May 1998.

Visitation was on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 from noon to 2:00 pm at Lakeside Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Lakeside Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lance Turner officiating.

Interment will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park.

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