Cecil Wells

Retired Colonel Cecil M. Wells, 87, of Temple, passed away Sunday, September 11, 2011. A Funeral Service will be held 2:00pm, Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at the First Christian Church with Dr. Don Lynn and Rev. Clyde Nichols officiating. Burial will follow in Bellwood Memorial Park under the direction of HarperTalasek Funeral Home, Temple. A visitation will be Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 5:006:00pm at the funeral home.

Cecil was born in Madill, Oklahoma, February 18, 1924 to the late John W. Wells and Bertha Lenny Morrison Wells. His family moved to Throckmorton, Texas in the late 1920s, where he grew up. In 1942, he married the love of his life, Jean Ham, and they moved to Ohio, where he worked at WrightPatton Air Force Base. In September of 1943 he joined the Army Air Force, which later became the Air Force, as an Officer Candidate. He received his wings and commission for 2nd Lieutenant at Hondo Air Force Base in 1944. During WWII, he served as a navigator aboard a B24, flying in eleven combat missions over Germany. While stationed at Mercedes Air Force Base in California in April of 1958, Major Wells was a pilot aboard a recordbreaker KS 135 tanker jet. The plane set a new nonstop record for distance, flying from Tokyo to the Azores without refueling. Cecil was conferred a degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1966. He served in the Air Force for 27 years, retiring in 1970 as a full Colonel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Celia Cannon in 1983, brothers Curtis Wells, Coy Wells, James L. Wells and Doyle Wells.

Cecil is survived by his wife of 69 years Jean Wells, daughter Stephanie W. Richards and husband Frederick P. Richards of Austin, sister Joyce Boland of Amarillo, brothers Roy Wells of Midland, Johnny Wells of Graham, several nieces, nephews and a host of dear friends.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Music Ministry, 300 North Fifth Street, Temple, Texas 76501 or charity of choice.

Visitation

HarperTalasek Funeral Home
500 W. Barton Ave.
Temple, TX  76501
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
5:006:00pm

Service

Church Service

First Christian Church
300 N. 5th
Temple, TX  76501
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
2:00pm

Cemetery

Bellwood Memorial ParkH
8575 Airport Road
Temple, TX  76504

Memorial Contributions

300 N 5th St
Temple, TX  76501