Wells Eldon Williams

He was born on July 8, 1919 to Finnish Immigrants John Ramo and Lempi Maria (Pulkinnen). He attended McKinley Elementary school and Cadillac High School.

Wells served in the United States Army as a member of the Third Army, 71st Light Infantry Division 5th Infantry Regiment in World War II in the European Theater of Operations. Wells sang in the Fifth Infantry Soldier Chorus for General Patton and General Eisenhower. He was given two bronze stars, the American theater ribbon, and the EAME theater ribbon while serving in WWII and declined the purple heart twice. Prior to the war he worked for Sprague Plumbing, Resends Drug store, Standard Oil, and was a fire man on the Railroad.

In 1944, he married Elaine Cameron. They spent many years living in the East Lansing and Okemos, Michigan area. He graduated from Michigan State University with a Doctoral Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife in 1955. Wells was a professor of Natural Science at Michigan State University from 1956-1982 when he retired. While there he was a part of Michigan State University’s efforts in establishing The University of Nigeria. He was active with the YMCA Indian Guides and OAKS sports program in Okemos, Michigan. He was a very loving family man and grandfather, an avid fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman.

Wells is survived by his son Cameron (Susan), seven grandchildren Alexander, Victoria, Nathaniel, Zachariah, Anastasia, Philip, Elizabeth, one great grandchild Emory; and a sister Bertha (Frank) Rosted of Cadillac and many loving nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Elaine (Cameron), four brothers: John, Rudy, Otto, and Arthur Williams and two sisters Elsie Crawford and Mayme Guthrie.

Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 p.m. August 6, 2018 at Peterson Funeral home in Cadillac. Funeral mass will be held at St. Ann’s Parish in Cadillac August 7, 2018 at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Nature Conservancy www.nature.org.