Bill Bell

Bill taught vocational/CTE classes for 50 years. He is well known not only in the White Mountains area, but throughout the state for coaching high school wrestling, football, and vocational tech competition from solar boats to electric cars. He played football and wrestled at Catalina H.S. from 1958-62. He played football for Eastern AZ College and graduated in 1964. He finished his schooling at NAU in 1967 where he wrestled and played football. He taught and coached wrestling at Palo Verde and Pueblo H.S. from 1967-77. He continued his teaching and coaching career at St. Johns from 1980-2009. Bell’s claim to fame was beating Curly Culp at a Yuma wrestling match. All three of his sons wrestled (Brian, Marcus, and Michael)) and two were wrestling state champions for St. Johns H.S. He coached over 23 state champion wrestlers. His St. John’s team won two state titles (1990 & 2009). His students won solar and electric car state and National competitions. Building relationships was Bell’s foundation to success.

Awards:

Year
2021
Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
Chapter/Region
Arizona

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