Willard Keith Bell, a resident of Oxford, Mississippi, gained his angel wings and went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 9, 2025.  He was born on May 18, 1939 in Jackson, Mississippi to Willie Kermit and Evelyn Bell.  He was a member of Flowood Baptist Church for over 70 years until his passing.  Keith grew up in Pearl and attended Pearl High School graduating in 1957.  He graduated from Hinds Community College in 1959.
Keith played multiple sports at Pearl including running track, playing football, basketball, and baseball.  He excelled at football playing both offense and defense.  He accounted for 174 points his senior year playing running back, returning punts and kickoffs.  Pearl baseball was also special to him since he met the love of his life of 67 years, Cathy Ann Bell, after a game in the spring of 1957.  At Hinds Community College, he was a member of the 1958 National Championship Football Team.
Keith worked part-time for Knox Glass Bottle Company while attending Pearl and Hinds and then full time until 1962.  He worked for Allstate Insurance Company selling insurance until 1965.  For the next 37 years, he worked in veterinary sales for Bayer Corporation until his retirement in 2002.  During his tenure for Bayer he won multiple national sales awards and multiple international trips for outstanding sales performance.
He loved to travel, play golf, and spend time with family and friends and living life to the fullest.  He had an outgoing personality and loved a good party or gathering with family and friends.  He played golf for many years at Niknar Country Club in Pearl and Bay Pointe Country Club in Brandon.  Over his golfing career, he made 9 aces (hole-in ones).
Keith's ("PaPa" to his grandchildren) greatest joy was his two grandchildren (Davis and Korey).  He loved taking them to fish, play golf, and spending time with them.  He never missed any of their school programs, birthday celebrations, gymnastics/cheer or sporting events (softball, basketball, football or baseball game).
Keith is preceded in death by his infant son Willard Craig, wife of 67 years Cathy Ann Bell, parents Willie Kermit and Evelyn Adams Bell, and sister Linda Bell Smith.  Keith is survived by his son Kenny (Pam) of Brentwood, Tennessee; grandchildren Davis Bell Lastinger (Jake) of Valdosta, Georgia and Korey Bell (Haley) of Austin, Texas; and great granddaughter Collins McLaurin Lastinger.
Visitation will be held at Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home in Flowood, Mississippi at 12:00 pm on Tuesday March 18 followed by a graveside memorial service at 1:00 pm at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Pearl, Mississippi.  Pallbearers will be Hilton Winstead, Mike Adcock, Scott Brown, Rusty Phillips, Chuck Smith, and Carlton Winstead.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to Flowood Baptist Church; 1649 Old Fannin Rd., Flowood, MS 39232, Phone: 601-992-6464.