William Wells

William Dilworth Wells passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, surrounded by his family.

A viewing will be held on Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel. Services will be held at the Old Mountain Home Idaho Stake Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 27, with a viewing from 10-10:45 a.m., and funeral services at 11 a.m., followed by dedication of the grave with military honors at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Bill was born Dec. 23, 1940, the son of Monroe and Frances Wells of Ludowici, in Long County, Ga. He was a "Southern Boy" through and through and remained so the rest of his life. He grew up in Long County and graduated from Ludowici High School.

At the age of 17, with signed permission from his parents, he joined the United States Air Force and was off to Texas for basic training. He served for 20 years, retiring in 1978.

While in the military he served in Washington, Ohio, Viet Nam, Korea and Mountain Home. While serving at MHAFB, he met and married Janis K. Black, a Mountain Home native. They were married in 1972 and were sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in 1978.

Bill joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was an active member of the Mountain Home Idaho Stake. He served in many positions: ward clerk, counselor in the bishopric, high council, high priest group leader, and others. He served as a bishop in the Mountain Home Second Ward in 1986.

He then moved back to his home town of Ludowici, Ga., where he worked for the United States Army at Savannah Air Station and Hinesville Army Base in Georgia. During that time he served as a bishop in Richmond Hill and Hinesville, Ga.

He was released as a bishop when he was called by the General Authority of the church to serve as Savannah Georgia stake president. He served in that position for 7 ½ years. He enjoyed many wonderful times serving in the church, having the opportunity to participate in the opening of the Orlando Florida LDS Temple and the Columbia South Carolina LDS Temple.

He had the opportunity to be taught and instructed by members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which was such a sacred honor to him. He attended many Young Women Camps, youth conferences and enjoyed them as much as the youth.

He loved being outside and growing a beautiful garden in Georgia. He had a great watermelon patch that he shared with all.

Though Bill loved being in Georgia "his southern home," they missed the grandchildren out West, so when Janis retired from the Georgia Board of Education, they returned to Mountain Home to be near their family in 2002. They have resided there since purchasing his wife's childhood home.

Bill was known by his friends and family as a patient, kind and compassionate man. He served his family and church with full commitment. He was loved and respected by his children and grandchildren and especially his wife. She was a devoted companion during their life together and was at his side faithfully during his illness. He will be missed by all.

Bill is survived by his wife, Janis, his four children, Jana Borgholthaus and her husband, David, of Mountain Home, Jade Wells and his wife, Lisa, of Meridian, Monroe Wells and his wife, Janice Later, of American Fork, Utah, and Ronald Wells of Spokane, Wash.; 15 grandchildren, Anna, Reed, Britt, Whitney, Lauren, Tanner, Michael, Drew, Christian, Ethan, Chase, Bradlee, Braden, William Lee and Carter, and two great-grandchildren, Audrey and Landon. Also surviving are two sisters, Minnie "Kitty" Burns and her husband, Gordon, of Georgia, and Pauline Moore and her husband, George, of Alabama. He has several in-laws: Sherin Olson (and the late Larry Olson), Ken Black and his wife, Kay, Frank Black and his wife, Jo, Teresa Haydon and her husband, Jim, all of Mountain Home, and Betty Grubb and her husband, Gig, of Boise.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lee and Rachel Black.

The family requests that memorials in Bill's memory be given to Alzheimer's Association, Atten: Donor Services, 6126 W. State St., Suite 305, Boise, ID 83703.