SALEM – Walter was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, the fourth of nine children, to Carmen Druery Wells and Perry Wells. In 1946, Walt moved with his family to Oregon and they settled in Gervais. Walter served in the U.S. Navy, was an entrepreneur and father of eight children. His business interests included real estate investment and development, floor covering sales, rental management, and cattle ranching.
In 1956, Rose Foltz and Walter Wells were married and had six children. In 1992, Walt and Linda Dawson were married. Walt is survived by his children: Nancy (Sonny) Flores, Neal Wells, Gayle (Allen) Tate, Karen (Paul) Meyer, Russell Wells, Glenn Wells, Jana (Tom) Markey, Cheryl (Bob) Lowry, and Tiffany Jones; grandchildren: Christopher, Ricky, Jason, Joshua, Charisy, Neal, Dakota, Jim, Bill, Sarah, Nicki, Michelle, Traci, Eric, Kelsey, Kaylee, Tiffany, Amanda, Jesse, Danielle, Michael, Jacob, Samantha, Caleb, Kari, Josh, Alex and Makayla; great-grandchildren: Hunter, Aiden, Ethan, Currin, Triston, Braidon, Reagan, Audri, Kaylee, Riley, Brandon, Ariah, Ellie, Eleanor, Emerson, Liliana, Abigale, Avery, Gloria, Tony, Leighanna, Jordan, Isabella, Shelby, Reed, Bella, Riley, Kayleigh, Bennett, Brooklyn, Elena, Enzo, Rafa, Abbi, Caiden, Jaelyn and Carson; great-great-grandchildren: Adalynn, Brynlee, Bodhi, Catelaya and Aaliyah; as well as his sisters: Margy Ray, Shirley Steinbach, Carmen Weidemann and Linda Bilyeu. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Linda, brothers: Donald, Jim and Ray, and sister Ruby Weidemann.
Walt enjoyed spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, golfing, ranching, and flying his planes and helicopters. He was a loving and caring father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Salem.
A visitation for Walter will be held Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, 605 Commercial St SE, Salem, Oregon 97301.
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