Graydon Willis Bell, professor emeritus of statistics, died February 19, 2016. He was 72.
Mr. Bell was born in 1943 on a farm in Minnesota, and grew up fishing and hunting, two passions which continued throughout his life. He was a happy person, who burst with passion for life and delighted in a good yarn. He loved fishing trips with his family and his buddies, hiking the Grand Canyon from rim to rim in a day, multi-day river trips and months-long road trips.
Mr. Bell lived for several decades in Flagstaff with his beloved wife Gail. He was a statistics professor at Northern Arizona University from 1967 to 2003. He was known as an excellent teacher who always brought color to what many might consider a dry subject.
He is survived by his wife, Gail; daughters Tracy, Jackie and Melanie; and his grandchildren Nicole and Nathan.
A celebration of life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, in the 1899 Ballroom on NAU’s campus. Appetizers, beer and wine will be served. Online condolences may be left at the Phoenix Memorial Park and Mortuary.