Paul L. Bell, 84, of Steelville, MO passed away Thursday, January 6, 2011 at his home. He was born September 6, 1926 in St. Louis, MO to J. Leonard Bell and Eva (Deischer) Bell. On June 6, 1956 in St. Louis, MO he was united in marriage to Deloris Hubbard Bell who survives of the home. He served his country in the U.S. Army during W.W.II and served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard during the Korean War. Paul attended Arkansas College and Washington University where he graduated with a law degree. In 1955, Paul moved to Steelville and worked for another attorney. A few years later he went to work for himself and in 1960 bought the present law building. He worked as the juvenile officer, prosecuting attorney and magistrate probate judge for Crawford County. For over fifty-five years, he worked as an attorney. Paul was instrumental in helping bring other business' to Steelville and in earlier years was a very active member of the Chamber of Commerce. He had been a member of the VFW, Lions Club, a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church and very active in the Republican Party. He started out as a stockholder in the Ermas Fire Arms Company which later became Steelville Manufacturing and is owned by him and his three sons. When not working, he enjoyed being at his farm feeding his cattle. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Deloris Bell of Steelville, MO; six children, Jean Thomasma and husband Lanin, Dennis Bell and wife Elaine, John Bell and wife Melanie, Bob Bell and wife Kathy, Susan Bell and husband Skip Hajek all of Steelville, MO and Lucy Bell and husband Loren Whetsell of Alton, MO; five sisters, Evelyn Wand of TX, Vivian Clemons and husband Jerry of St. Paul, MN, Sylvia Tay and husband Rick, Alice Cranston and Ann Saad all of Kansas City, MO; two brothers-in-law, Richard Hubbard and wife Sharon of MD and Michael Hubbard and wife Sharon of TX; and aunt Opal Henry of Salem, MO; seventeen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, January 10, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral service was held on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Rev. Loren Whetsell and Rev. Ron Durbin officiating. Special music was played by Sylvia Tay. Committal prayer and burial were in the Asher Cemetery at St. James, MO. Honored to be casket bearers were Dennis Bell, John Bell, Bob Bell, Lanin Thomasma, Loren Whetsell and Skip Hajek. Memorials may be given to the Steelville Ministerial Alliance or Community Child Care Center. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.