Donald Burden Noell, president of Harris Hill Insurance Agency

Donald Burden Noell, 77, of Williamsville, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Born in Saluda Township, Ind., Mr. Noell graduated from South Bend Central High School and the University at Buffalo's School of Management in 1972. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954, doing one tour of duty in Korea.

He was a president of Harris Hill Insurance Agency for more than 20 years where he was a certified insurance counselor and notary public. Mr. Noell was a former chairman of the board of directors and executive committee of the United Frontier Mutual Insurance Company.

He was a former member of the local, state and national Independent Insurance Agents Associations and former member of the Life Underwriters Association. He was past president, secretary and treasurer of the Clarence Kiwanis Club and held various offices in the Western New York Council of International Visitors, the Clarence Concert Association and the Lancaster Lions Club.

Mr. Noell was a former firefighter in the Harris Hill Fire Company, a former Clarence Republican committeeman and a former member of the Clarence Community Development Board. He was a member of the Clarence Chamber of Commerce.

He was a commander and 35-year member of the Clarence American Legion Post 838, and a 32 degree Mason and member of Amherst Masonic Lodge 981 and the Buffalo Consistory of the Scottish Rite. In the past, he was on the board of directors of Diet Workshop Western New York.

He was also active in the Harris Hill United Methodist Church in Williamsville, holding various positions, including treasurer and Sunday School superintendent. He served on the board of trustees and the board of pensions of the Western New York Conference of the United Methodist Church.

He was also a licensed pilot.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Donna J.; one brother, Jesse; and one sister, Sara Nighbert.

Services were held on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Harris Hill United Methodist Church in Williamsville. Arrangements were made by Shepard Brothers Funeral Home.