William "Bill" Wells

Bill Wells, 89, of Missoula, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2017 in Missoula surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on February 13, 1927, in New Berlin, New York, to Jay and Jennie Wells. He grew up on the family dairy farm, and from a young age spent his time exploring the 1000 acre farm and beyond. He graduated from Morris High School in Morris, New York in 1945, and then attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.
On July 1, 1950, he married Madolin Littlewood, a loving and lifelong union. Bill worked for Delia Road Construction in upstate New York for thirteen years. In 1961, Bill moved his family to Missoula and started working as a diesel mechanic for Westmont Tractor. He kept working on Caterpillars, at Westmont and Long Machinery, for the next 27 years until he retired. He always enjoyed people and the outdoors. His work brought him into close contact with both across western Montana, and he thoroughly valued the many great friends and relationships he made along the way.
His main passions were always family and fishing. He and his lifelong fishing buddy Franz Thresher built the family cabin at Georgetown Lake. The cabin was the hub of fun and activity for family and friends for the next 50 years.
After retirement, and when not at the family cabin, Bill and Madolin spent summers traveling to favorite fishing spots in Canada and Alaska. Winters, after celebrating Christmas with their children and grandchildren, they would go fishing in Nevada.
This past December, Bill and Madolin were fortunate enough to be able to spend Christmas Day with all of their children and all of their grandchildren; just like when the grandkids were little and Grandpa Bill would give them Christmas hay rides. When Bill passed away he was looking forward to his 90th birthday, just nine days away.
Bill was preceded in death by his sister Janet and brother Bennie. Survivors include his wife Madolin; son Ed (Evonne) Wells , son John (Leslie) Wells, daughter Audrey (Ken) Shaw, all of Missoula; and grandchildren Jay (Annika Oie) Wells, RJ Wells, Jackie Wells, Sarah (Troy) Ussery, and Corey Shaw, all of Missoula, granddaughter Nadine Shaw of Seattle; cousin Tim Fay of Wise River, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be 10:30 AM on Friday, February 10, 2017 at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway St, Missoula. Reception will follow at the Depot restaurant. Bill and his family were blessed with the compassionate care Partners Hospice provided at the end of his life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a hospice care facility.