William V. “Bill” Bell
Full Name
William Victor Bell
Date of Birth
January 3, 1941
Place of Birth
Date of Death
Not available
Place of Death
Not available
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Howard University
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from New York University
- Completed the Executive Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Government
Spouses Names
Children Names
Parents Names
Not available
Known Affiliates Names
Affiliated Organizations’ Names
- Mayor of Durham, North Carolina (2001-2017)
- Durham County Commissioner (1972-1994, 1996-2000)
- North Carolina Railroad Company
- Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition
William V. “Bill” Bell is a prominent American politician who served as the Mayor of Durham, North Carolina, from 2001 to 2017. Before his tenure as mayor, Bell had an extensive career in public service as a Durham County Commissioner, where he served multiple terms between 1972 and 2000. His leadership in Durham is marked by a focus on economic development, public safety, and community engagement. Bell’s educational background in electrical engineering and his executive training provided a strong foundation for his approach to governance, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and strategic planning. Under his leadership, Durham experienced significant growth and revitalization, particularly in the downtown area, which saw an influx of new businesses, cultural institutions, and residential developments. Throughout his career, Bell has been dedicated to addressing issues of social equity and inclusion, working to ensure that Durham’s economic growth benefits all residents. His efforts to improve public safety and reduce crime rates have contributed to making Durham a more vibrant and safer city. Bell’s contributions to Durham and his long-standing commitment to public service have earned him respect and admiration from constituents and colleagues alike. His legacy as mayor includes not only the tangible improvements to the city’s infrastructure and economy but also his dedication to fostering a sense of community and belonging among Durham’s diverse population.
William V. “Bill” Bell
Personal Life
William V. “Bill” Bell was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he attended the public schools, graduating from Atkins High School in 1957 before the integration of Atkins High School. He pursued higher education at Howard University, where he received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1961, and later earned his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from New York University in 1968. Bell served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a 1st Lieutenant from 1961 to 1963. He is married to Judith, and together they have four adult children and seven grandchildren[12].
Career
Bell’s career spans over five decades of public service, beginning with his election to the Durham County Board of Commissioners in 1972. He served on the board until 1994 and then again from 1996 to 2000, with a tenure as chairman from 1982 to 1994. During his time as chairman, he played a pivotal role in the merger of Durham’s city and county school systems into the Durham Public School System in 1992. In 2001, Bell was elected Mayor of Durham, North Carolina, a position he held until 2017, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. He chose not to run for re-election in 2017. Bell’s civilian work history also reflects an extensive degree of education and experience as an engineer, having worked at several large corporations, including the Martin-Marietta Corporation, the US Army Research and Development Lab, and the IBM Corporation, from which he retired in 1996. He has been the Executive Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer of UDI/Community Development Corporation since June 1996[12][15][16].
Achievements
Throughout his career, Bell has been awarded many local, state, and national honors. Notably, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Duke University and the North Carolina State University School of Design 23rd Designlife Award. He has served as Chairperson of the North Carolina Railroad Company’s (NCRR) Board of Directors and on the NCCU Board of Trustees. His leadership and vision were instrumental in the transformation of Durham from a fading tobacco town into a thriving cultural community, overseeing over $1.7 billion in public and private investment in the city. Projects under his leadership include the American Tobacco Campus, the Durham Performing Arts Center, and the revitalization of inner-city neighborhoods[13][16].
Controversies, Myths, Misconceptions
Bell’s tenure was not without controversy. It was revealed that he endorsed and donated money to now-disgraced former district attorney Mike Nifong during his reelection campaign surrounding the 2006 Duke University lacrosse case[18]. Additionally, during his 2007 re-election campaign, Bell was challenged by Republican Thomas Stith, who attacked Bell over several city issues, including violence and the discovery of lead in Durham’s drinking water[18].
Bibliography
While William V. “Bill” Bell has not authored books, his contributions to Durham’s development and public service are documented in various articles and reports.