Loy C "Rusty" Bell

Loy C “Rusty” Bell, 98, passed away on June 17, 2024, in Wenatchee, WA. He was born to Eligah and Callie Bell on February 24, 1926, in Wilburton, OK. He was the firstborn of ten children. In his early teens, Loy traveled to many states, working various agriculture jobs. In the early 1940s, he moved to Manson, WA, to work the orchards. While living in Manson, Loy met and married his wife of 66 years, Claudia Thompson. Together they had five children. Loy was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1944, where he served in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged a year later, after contracting tuberculosis. Upon returning home, Loy worked various jobs including farming in Manson, digging telephone pole holes in Oregon, ranching in New Mexico, and mining at Holden Mine. In 1952, he began his 30 plus year career at Alcoa. Claudia and Loy bought their first orchard in Cashmere in 1960, and then moved to their final residence in Malaga, WA, in 1971. Loy retired from Alcoa in 1983 and spent his retirement years farming his Malaga orchard. Loy was preceded in death by Claudia in 2011. In 2016, at the young age of 90, he married Ellie Rayburn, who passed away later that year. He spent his last years supervising his farm and family. Loy was loving, loyal, hardworking, stubborn, and loved a good laugh. When he wasn’t working or taking care of his orchard, he enjoyed fishing and hunting. Later in life, Loy discovered Senior Softball which he played for 12 years. He also enjoyed playing golf with his brothers, sons, and many others. He loved to take road trips with his siblings, exploring their family history. At home in his twilight years, he enjoyed driving around the orchard in his golf cart, observing the work being done, taking care of his yard and garden, and playing with his grandchildren. His biggest hobby was building relationships with anybody he met. He was a “people collector”. The door was always open, and you were always welcome at his table. The most essential things in his life were his family, his faith, and leaving a legacy for his descendants. In his last months of life, he may not have been able to communicate much, but he found a way to express his love. Loy is preceded in death by his wife, Claudia Bell; second wife, Ellie Rayburn; daughters: Wanda Maxson and Peggy Pipkin; and son-in-law Randy Davis. He is survived by his sons: Loy D. Bell (Kim Bell) and Donnie Bell; daughter, Carla Davis; son-in-laws Pete Maxson and Darold Pipkin; 30 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and many others who called him Papa.

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Loy C "Rusty" Bell

February 24, 1926 - June 17, 2024