Major Walter W. Bell, United States Army (retired), age 78, veteran of World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars, died at his home on December 1, 2003. He lived in Kettering, Maryland.

Major Bell was born January 2, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan and was a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he was a track star. He served in the U.S. Army for 26 years.

He was employed at Arnic in Annapolis for 23 years as a civil engineer.

Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Sandra Bell; their son Brian Bell, a student at Kent State University, Ohio; and two sons from his previous marriage to Margaretta Seay Bell, Ronald Bell of Bowie, Maryland, and Mark Bell of Waldorf, Maryland; two daughters-in-law, two sisters, Lillian Rockmore of Detroit, Michigan, and Mathaline Bell, who preceded him in death; four granddaughters and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Redeemer Presbyterian USA, Washington, DC. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at 1 p.m.