OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)

MANATEE COUNTYPhilip Charles Backer

Philip Charles Backer, 90, Bradenton, died Jan. 13, 1999.

He was born Jan. 9, 1909, in Plainfield, N.J., and came to Bradenton 19 years ago from Flemington, N.J. He retired in 1974 from Research Cottrell Inc. He was a volunteer at Blake Medical Center for 13 years and was active in the Village Green Section 12 Board. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian in Bradenton and an elder and a deacon of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook, N.J.

Survivors include his wife, Lura; two sons, Kenneth of Mission Viejo, Calif., and Donald of Berkeley, Calif.; a sister, Margaret Steenrod of St. Petersburg; two brothers, Arthur of San Anselmo, Calif., and Bill of Bellingham, Wash.; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian Church. National Cremation Society, Sarasota chapter, is in charge.

Memorial donations may be made to Blake Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, 2020 59th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34209; or to the American Cancer Society, 600 U.S. 301 Blvd. W., Suite 136, Bradenton, FL 34205.

William C. Bell Jr.

William Clyde Bell Jr., 81, Ellenton, died Jan. 13, 1999.

He was born June 28, 1917, in Lindon, N.J., and came to Manatee County 20 years ago from King of Prussia, Pa. He was a custom home builder. He was a member of North River Fire Auxiliary, the Pennsylvania Club of Colony Cove, and a past member of the Mason Lodge in Philadelphia. He was a Presbyterian.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Elizabeth; two daughters, Nancy M. Lehr of Hudson and Peggy J. Mahan of Downingtown, Pa.; a sister, Mary Blum of Vero Beach; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

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