Ray Bell shows off the plaque bearing his likeness with Library Foundation Board President Dr. Janet Donahue last September. The Bell Study Room was named in his honor. BHP Photo.

Brentwood Home Page news reports
Middle Tennessee lost one of its major players in the construction industry Saturday with the death of Ray C. Bell of Nashville. Though he and his company, Bell and Associations Construction made their fame by building the AT&T (“Batman”) building, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) and the Gateway Boulevard Bridge and the Shelby Pedestrian bridges in downtown Nashville, since 1970 the company made Brentwood its home at its unassuming office on Wilson Pike Circle.

Mr. Bell, 69, died Sept. 4, 2010 in Baptist Hospital of heart failure.

A Scottsboro, Ala. native, he was raised in Shelbyville, Tenn.  Mr. Bell followed in his father's footsteps and started a career in construction after graduating from the University of the South with an honors degree in English in 1963.

After working for a Shelbyville construction firm for six years, Bell moved to Nashville and started Ray Bell Construction in 1969. In 1997 he was part of the creation of Bell & Associates Construction in 1997. In total, Bell watched his companies build more than $5 billion in construction projects over their 40-year history.

The partners of Bell & Associates Construction, including his two sons, Brad and Darek Bell, will continue his legacy in the coming years.

Mr. Bell was also known for his devotion to giving back to such charities as the Arthritis Foundation where he was recognized for personally raising more than $1 million. He also was an active member and board member of such organizations as the Tennessee State Museum and the Tennessee Business Roundtable, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission, The Hermitage Foundation, among other great organizations.

In September 2009, he was among those recognized for his donation to the Brentwood Library Foundation, making the Bell Study Room possible.

He was also a founding member of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors.

“My father was my hero, my mentor, and most importantly, my best friend. He was my hero for constructing so many amazing buildings across the skyline of the city he loved, Nashville,” Bell’s son Darek Bell, vice president and partner, Bell & Associates Construction, said in a statement posted on the company’s website.

“Like all heroes he was courageous and driven. He didn’t look for what was easy in life, he loved a challenge: the bigger the better. The best motivator for Ray was telling him it couldn’t be done. …

“He was very old fashioned when it came to the importance of integrity of character. Your handshake was your handshake. Your word was your word. Who you are is the most important thing in life, and this is why he was such a great mentor to me,” Darek Bell continued.

“I speak for the whole family in saying we are devastated at his loss. But we are thankful that he died peacefully and without pain, surrounded by his family that loved him. For someone who gave so much for others, he deserved this solace.”

Keith Pyle, president and partner of Bell & Associates Construction remembered Mr. Bell as “bigger than life. (He) made an impression on everyone that he came into contact with. He was one of the smartest, most well-read individuals that I ever had the chance to know.”

In addition to Derek Bell, Mr. Ray is survived by son, Brad, and their wives, Marilyn and Amy Bell; his three grandsons, Eli, Deuce and Cohen; his brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Francis Bell; his sister, Bonnie Bell; niece, Rita Bell Murrah; and nephew, Tony Bell. Visitation and funeral services will be held at Brentwood Baptist Church, located at 7777 Concord Road. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010 from 1-2 p.m. with funeral services taking place from 2-4 p.m. There will be a private burial for family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Harris-Hillman Special Education School, 1706 26th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37212.

Mount Olivet Funeral Home of Nashville is in charge of arrangements.