Obituary for Richard W. Wells Jr.
Richard W. Wells Jr., 94 of Williamstown, MA died Wednesday December 5, 2018, at his home in Williamstown.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on August 9, 1924, son of Gladys and Richard W. Wells. Dick attended schools in Upper Darby Township and graduated from Upper Darby High School in June 1943. Upon graduation, he joined the US Navy where he served as a signalman (“Flags”) in both the European and Pacific theaters. After his honorable discharge in March of 1946, he entered Williams College. There he served as president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, was a member of the golf team, treasurer of the undergraduate council, a member of the student activities council and the Gargoyle Society.
After graduation in June of 1949, Dick joined his father in the wool business creating the Richard W. Wells Co in Philadelphia, serving all the woolen and worsted mills in the United States. In 1967, he and his family moved to Sudbury, MA in order to open another office in Boston. He became president of the Boston Wool Trade Association from 1986 to 1990.
Always grateful for his time at Williams, Dick was active in alumni efforts. He served as president of the Philadelphia Alumni Association and was co-chairman of a committee for prospective Williams students in both Philadelphia and Boston. He served on the Society of Alumni from 1974 to 1977 and was class agent for the class of ’49 for 14 years. He was presented with the Copeland Award in 1982.
After retiring, Dick spent his winters as a member of the Indian River Club in Vero Beach, FL where he was able to indulge his lifelong passion of playing golf. By his own count, recorded in a small black notebook, he played at 509 different courses. The pinnacle came when he was able to play at Augusta National Golf Club with 3 close friends complete with a stay in the Eisenhower cabin. He was always proud to announce that he had ‘shot his age’ and avidly played until 2015. But golf was more than a game for Dick; it was a way to bring people together. He was very pleased to establish an annual golf outing at various courses in Vero Beach pairing local Williams alumni with members of the Williams College golf team on their spring trip.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ann Wells, and three sons: Kim Wells and his wife Lynda K. Bundtzen of Williamstown, Peter Wells and his wife Sue Wells of Williamstown and Ted Wells and his wife Clarissa Stout-Wells of Victor, ID. He leaves nine grandchildren, one great grandson and a nephew. He is predeceased by his daughter, Pamela Wells, and his sister Ginger Wells.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Services for Richard Wells will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Straight Ahead Ministries, 791 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610 or the Homeless Family Center Inc., 720 4th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32962.
To add to the Book of Memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on August 9, 1924, son of Gladys and Richard W. Wells. Dick attended schools in Upper Darby Township and graduated from Upper Darby High School in June 1943. Upon graduation, he joined the US Navy where he served as a signalman (“Flags”) in both the European and Pacific theaters. After his honorable discharge in March of 1946, he entered Williams College. There he served as president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, was a member of the golf team, treasurer of the undergraduate council, a member of the student activities council and the Gargoyle Society.
After graduation in June of 1949, Dick joined his father in the wool business creating the Richard W. Wells Co in Philadelphia, serving all the woolen and worsted mills in the United States. In 1967, he and his family moved to Sudbury, MA in order to open another office in Boston. He became president of the Boston Wool Trade Association from 1986 to 1990.
Always grateful for his time at Williams, Dick was active in alumni efforts. He served as president of the Philadelphia Alumni Association and was co-chairman of a committee for prospective Williams students in both Philadelphia and Boston. He served on the Society of Alumni from 1974 to 1977 and was class agent for the class of ’49 for 14 years. He was presented with the Copeland Award in 1982.
After retiring, Dick spent his winters as a member of the Indian River Club in Vero Beach, FL where he was able to indulge his lifelong passion of playing golf. By his own count, recorded in a small black notebook, he played at 509 different courses. The pinnacle came when he was able to play at Augusta National Golf Club with 3 close friends complete with a stay in the Eisenhower cabin. He was always proud to announce that he had ‘shot his age’ and avidly played until 2015. But golf was more than a game for Dick; it was a way to bring people together. He was very pleased to establish an annual golf outing at various courses in Vero Beach pairing local Williams alumni with members of the Williams College golf team on their spring trip.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ann Wells, and three sons: Kim Wells and his wife Lynda K. Bundtzen of Williamstown, Peter Wells and his wife Sue Wells of Williamstown and Ted Wells and his wife Clarissa Stout-Wells of Victor, ID. He leaves nine grandchildren, one great grandson and a nephew. He is predeceased by his daughter, Pamela Wells, and his sister Ginger Wells.
FUNERAL NOTICE: Services for Richard Wells will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Straight Ahead Ministries, 791 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610 or the Homeless Family Center Inc., 720 4th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32962.
To add to the Book of Memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.