Thomas Webster Bell III
Announcement from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department
***Passing of Assistant Engineer Thomas Webster “TW” Bell III***
It is with a heavy heart that the membership of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and its Auxiliary announce the passing of Assistant Engineer Thomas Webster “TW” Bell III. TW joined the department in 1981, dedicating 41 years of active service to the citizens of Leonardtown and St. Mary’s County. He served as The Engineer, Assistant Engineer and held the operational position of Lieutenant. TW was also known to assist on apparatus committees and was well known for his mechanical background. As a member of the department and over his many years of service you could find him fixing and servicing the in-station apparatus.
One of his major heroic events while serving as a member of the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department was his actions taken while making a rescue from atop the water tower in downtown Leonardtown. TW was also known for his firefighting actions during the Leonardtown Wharf fire in 1985. His most recent fire was on July 28th, 2023, just a few days ago. TW had the privilege to be assigned and operate as the driver of Truck 1.
For those that don’t know, Truck 1 is dedicated to TW’s father, Thomas Webster Bell Jr. TW Bell was mostly known for his relationship with his family. When asked by many to describe TW in two words, many would say “family man”. His greatest joys were his wife, four girls, and his grandchildren. While the department and his family will miss TW Bell, the impact of his service, leadership, and inspiration will remain forever.
Obituary
Thomas Webster Bell III, “T.W.” 63, of Leonardtown, MD, passed away on August 3, 2023, in Solomons, MD. Born on November 13, 1959, he was the son of Dorothy G. Bell of Leonardtown, MD, and the late Thomas W. Bell, Jr. T.W. was the loving husband of Mary F. Raley Bell. The two of them met in high school and were married on October 18, 1980. He is survived by his children Tiffany L. Corbett of Leonardtown, MD, Brittany B. Nelson (Gary) of Leonardtown, MD, Stephanie B. Dahlstrom (Michael) of Leonardtown, MD, and Courtney T. Bell (Chase) of Leonardtown, MD, his siblings, J. Andrew Bell of Leonardtown, MD, Gary S. Bell of Leonardtown, MD, and Mark J. Bell of Leonardtown, MD, as well as six grandchildren and one granddaughter on the way. In addition to his father, T.W. was preceded in death by his brother, Francis G. Bell, and his son-in-law, Christopher B. Corbett.
T.W. was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD, resident and graduated from Ryken High School in 1977. He was the Collision Repair Center Manager for Bell Motor Company until 2008. In 2009, T.W. went to work for a Government Contractor. He was the owner/operator of Bell Trucking for over 35 years and co-owner of Bell Boys Bus Service in Leonardtown, MD. T.W.’s hobbies included playing hardball, softball for Pennies, Budweiser, and others. He was to go to the Orioles Minor League; however, he was working on the family farm, and a tree fell across his shoulders and intervened. He was a 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee for the Slow Pitch Softball League and belonged to the Leonardtown Vol. Fire Department (Assistant Engineer) and served for 41 years. T.W.’s greatest love was his wife, four girls, grandchildren, and family. He was such a gentle giant, making him the right person to be a girl dad. T.W. could be seen in the evenings and weekends working on the Breton Bay family farm.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with prayers recited at 7:00 PM at Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD, with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, Helen, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Nelson, Michael Dahlstrom, Chase Burroughs, Gary Bell Jr., Michael Bell, and Al Raley. Honorary pallbearers will be Andy Bell, Gary Bell, Sr., Mark Bell, A.J. Bell, Chris Bell, Bradley Bell, Josh Phetteplace, Buck Trossbach, Johnny Russell, and Charlie Cooksey.
Contributions may be made to the Leonardtown Vol. Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Visitations:
Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Thursday, August 10th, 2023, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Firemen’s Prayers 7:00 pm
Services:
St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Friday, August 11th, 2023, 11:00 am
Interment:
Queen of Peace Cemetery
38888 Dr. Johnson Rd Helen, MD
MECHANICS WANTED
