The Rev. Wade A. Bell, 99, of Sumter, South Carolina, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2023.

Born on April 6, 1924, in Pickens, South Carolina, Wade was one of eight children born to John Steve and Marie Ellenberg Bell. He was the loving husband of Sylvia H. Bell for 69 years. He was a World War II veteran of the Army of the United States, 82nd Airborne Division.

He began serving as a minister in the Church of God in 1953 and received his ordination in 1960. During his time of ministering in South Carolina, he pastored the Churches of God in Fountain Inn, Newberry, Darlington, Walhalla and Laurens, and then served as South Carolina’s evangelism director. Following his ministry in South Carolina, he was the World Missions representative for the International Church of God, served as state bishop in Alaska, Louisiana and Mississippi, and completed his ministry as the pastor of the Woodside Avenue Church of God in Greenville, South Carolina. Upon retirement, he and his wife were members of the North Cleveland Church of God, active in the Unity Sunday School Class and the Peacemakers. They were members of Bethesda Church of God in Sumter.

He is survived by his spouse, Sylvia H. Bell; daughters, Yvonne (Ronnie) Wilkes and Lisa Bell; grandchildren, Josh (Jessica) Wilkes, Staci (Eric) Burnette, Chris (Nicole) Richardson and Khendra Bell; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven siblings; infant son, Wade Aderon Jr., son, Kenneth Lee Bell; and grandson, Aaron Richardson.

He was known for his sense of humor, always quick with an anecdote or joke to share. However, not one day would pass that he did not exclaim, “God’s been good to me—no complaints!”