Joe Edward Wells DDS

Joe E. Wells, DDS, 86, of Wichita Falls died Saturday, December 11, 2010 at a local nursing home. A memorial service has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Monday, December 13, 2010 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church officiated by Father John Payne.

Joe was born March 30, 1924 in Yarnaby, OK to J.S. and Nora Collins Wells. He married Venita Louise Bolinger January 6, 1943 in Durant, OK and together they raised two children. He served our country as a Captain in the United States Air Force during WWII and the Korean conflict. He graduated from North Texas University and Baylor Dental College and had his own practice in dentistry for 47 years. Joe was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association; a member of over fifty years of the Shriners, participating in their Mavericks and Jesters, as well as a charter member of Scottish Rite Freemasonry of the USA. Dr. Wells was instrumental in the building of All Saints Episcopal Church, and their steering committee. He and the late Dr. Bondurant were founders of the Wichita Valley Water Corp, a rural water supply they worked on from 1964 to 1966 when the water was turned on. He was a member of the Holliday ISD School Board during 1976-79, and he was on staff at Bethania Hospital.

Dr. Wells is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Venita Louise Wells in 2002; brother, Gilbert Lankford; as well as his parents, J.S. and Nora Wells.

Survivors include his devoted children and their spouses, Joan Katherine and Ronnie Hames of Arlington, VA, Mark Edward and Teresa Wells of Wichita Falls; sister, Marie Chenoweth of Harral, OK; grandchildren and spouse, Hillary and Scott Merriam, Bradley Wells, Henry Hackbusch IV, Veronica Hackbusch; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Drew, Regan; uncle and aunt, Dan and Reva Wells of Kemp, OK; and several nieces and nephews and beloved friends.

Visitation will be held 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.

The family of Dr. Wells would like to extend a special thank you to physicians, Dr. Benny Barnhart, Dr. Stephen Farmer, Dr. Stephen Dryden, Dr. Ted Alexander; the staff and residents of Rolling Meadows for their love and care; the Western Trails Unit of Wilbarger County Hospital of Vernon; Texhoma Christian Care Center; Hospice of Wichita Falls; and special friends, Kathy Scanlin and Joanne Bartley for their years of loving care.

If desired, memorials may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal Church or to Hospice of Wichita Falls.

Please share both your spoken and written condolences and fond memories with the Wells family at www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com.