BUDA — William Thomas "Tom" Bell, 75, of Buda passed away Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at his home surrounded by a loving family and friends after a long battle with cancer.

Tom was born Oct. 17, 1937, in Buffalo, Ky., to Donald and Rosalie (Metcalf) Bell. He married Lorraine (LeVangie) Eastman on June 2, 1959, who is the mother of his three children, Donald, Wendy and Anne. He graduated from Walnut High School in 1956.

Second to his family, was Tom’s devotion to his country. He served four years in the Navy and joined the American Legion shortly afterward. He was very proud to be an American. Tom owned and operated Bells Transmissions in Sheffield for 28 years, then passed it on to his son, Donald, and grandson, Rich.

Tom was a dedicated race fan. He owned and built many race cars for his son, Donald, and grandson Rich, who won many features. His latest was a 4-cylinder Cavalier which won the championship at the LaSalle Speedway in 2012, driven by J.R. Brown. He attended Wesleyan Church of Princeton.

He is survived by his mother, Rosalie Bell of Wyanet; one son, Donald (Nancy) Bell of Sheffield; two daughters, Wendy Bell of Whitman, Mass., and Anne Bell of Princeton; five grandchildren, Julie (Russell) Boomsma of Derr, Mich., Richard (Kristen) Bell of Sheffield, Savanna Bell of Sheffield, Derek Hart of Fort Riley, Kan., and Sam Hart of Campton, N.H.; and two great-granddaughters, Kynlee and Brooklyn Boomsma of Derr, Mich. He also leaves behind four sisters, June (Wayne) Hosier of Colonial Heights, Va., Louise (Pete) DeVries of Merced, Calif., Beverly (Harry) Moore of Kewanee and Janice (Rick) Bulthuis of Wyanet.