The Rev. William Bell

When William Bell saw the job description for the new clerical position at St. Anne’s, he thought it was written specifically for him. Ordained to the priesthood in 2008, William is a retired pathologist. He moved to Maryland in 2009 to serve as Episcopal Chaplain to the Johns Hopkins Hospital. There he trained in the Clinical Pastoral Education program. He was recognized as a board certified chaplain in August 2011.

Dr. Bell spent years working behind a microscope and as vice president of medical affairs at Sacred Heart Health System in Pensacola, Florida. But, after a couple of neck surgeries, it was time to stop sitting behind a desk. As he wondered where God might lead him, his Rector asked him to consider a call to Holy Orders.

His faith and new profession have been an ongoing journey. In the 1980s, he was an infection control officer advocating for those sick with AIDS. William started to pay hospital visits to young men abandoned by their families and friends. He helped them through the fear and condemnation they faced. This led to an interest in bioethics and the study of moral theology. The Jesuits and the Daughters of Charity helped him contemplate a life of active service. Medical missions to Guatemala, lay parish ministry and spiritual retreats helped prepare him for ordination.

William comes from a large family in Pensacola, descendants of three brothers who migrated there from Dublin in 1816. His father was Roman Catholic
and left that church in the 1960s, “dragging us all into the Episcopal Church. I have been here ever since.”

Since his move to Baltimore in 2009, William lives in a Canton condo with his aged Pug, Beatrice. His has three children. Mark, 35, is a teacher living in San Francisco. Tim, 32, and his wife Sara, run a kayaking business in the mountains of North Carolina. Lizzie, 26, is finishing a PhD in developmental psychology at the University of Miami. Tim and Sara are also the parents of William's grandchildren, Finn, 7, and Hurley, 2.

In his spare time, William enjoys music, cooking, and reading. Once active in sports, he now considers himself an armchair sailor and sports fan. His musical tastes are eclectic ranging from classical to country and bluegrass. He has more than 4300 clips on his iPod , so he won’t be running out of tunes any time soon!

William describes himself as very social introvert. He has an intense curiosity about people and a reverent gratitude for being alive. He can’t wait to get started on his next phase, his life at St. Anne’s.

He says, “I have a deep love for the Episcopal Church and its Anglican tradition. I love the thousands of years of resources that we have to draw on for our devotion. My hope for St. Anne’s is that I have souls to care for and more chances to explore Scripture for all their wealth and joy.”

Welcome to St. Anne’s, William.