William Wells

VIRGINIA BEACH -- Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. William Wells, 85, died Dec. 14, 1999. He was born in Swansea, Mass., on April 3, 1914.

Cmdr. Wells enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1932. He served in World War II and, during that time, was captured by the Japanese at Bataan-Corregidor and became a POW for 40 months. Cmdr. Wells received several medals including the Bronze Star. He retired in 1957 from the military and later became the manager of Bryant Hardware in Kempsville for 28 years. He also served as a volunteer fireman for 17 years with the Kempsville Fire Department and Rescue Service, where he was a charter member.

Cmdr. Wells was a member of the American Defenders of Bataan-Corregidor and served as the honorary commander for the National A.D.B.C. He was a member of the Masonic Elm Lodge of West Springfield, Mass.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dorothy M. Wells; daughters, Beverly W. Jennette and husband, William, of Richmond and Carol W. Hebert and husband, Charles, of Lafayette, La.; a son, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bill C. Wells and his wife, Patricia, of San Antonio, Texas; eight grandchildren, William Lester Jennette III and wife, Jennifer, Zachery Scott Jennette, Ashton Marie Jennette, Tracy Lee Hebert, Daniel Leonard Wells, Cara Mae Wells, Catlin Michelle Wells and Angeleah Beth Wells.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Smith and Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel. Burial will be at sea by the U.S. Navy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Andersonville National Historic Site, Memorial to all POWs, Route 1, Box 800, Andersonville, GA 31711 or to the Kempsville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

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