Background
Bell, William Jack was born on November 1, 1915 in near Norcatur, Kansas, United States. Son of James S. and Ruth (Diefendorf) Bell.
Bell, William Jack was born on November 1, 1915 in near Norcatur, Kansas, United States. Son of James S. and Ruth (Diefendorf) Bell.
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Emporia (Kansas) State Teachers College, 1937; Master of Science, Emporia (Kansas) State Teachers College, 1940; Doctor of Philosophy, University Missouri, 1949.
Teacher high school, Colby, Kansas, 1937-1942; reporter-editor, Colby Free Press-Tribune, 1937-1942; graduate assistant, instructor, U. Missouri School Journalism, 1946-1949; assistant professor, U. Oklahoma School Journalism, 1949-1951; photographer, Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, summer 1951; professor journalism, head journalism and graphic arts department, East Texas State University, Commerce, 1951-1983; prf. emeritus, East Texas State University, Commerce, 1985.
City commissioner Commerce, 1960-1964, 74-84, mayor pro tempore, 1964-1967, 74-84, mayor, 1967-1970, 84-86. Board directors Sulphur River Municipal Water District, 1971-1972, chairman airport advisory board, 1971-1974. Member executive committee NetSeO Trails council Boy Scouts American, 1953-1957.
President executive board Commerce Public Library., since 1993. Served with United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1945. Member Sports Information Directors, National Association Intercollegiate Athletics (president 1964-1967, coordinator 1968-1982, named to Helms Foundation Hall of Fame 1970), Commerce C. of Chamber (board directors 1955-1957, 59-62, 69-71, board directors since 1995, vice president 1985, president 1987-1988, named Citizen of the Decade of 1980s, 1990), Lions (president Commerce 1959-1960, deputy district governor 1962-1964, secretary-treasurer 1987-1995, club newsletter editor since 1954, Melvin Jones fellow), Phi Delta Kappa (historian 1957-1969), Sigma Delta Chi.
Son of and Ruth (Diefendorf) B. Married Marjorie May Andrews, May 9, 1942 (deceased May 1991).