Wallis (Wally) Warren Wells, at the age of 86, passed away peacefully Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis SD.
He was born July 19, 1938 to Charles and Claribel Wells in Woonsocket SD. When his mother moved to Canton in 1950, he stayed with Oscar and Georgie Strand in rural Woonsocket where he attended school and graduated from Woonsocket High in 1958. He excelled in every sport during his time in school, setting several school records in football, baseball, track, and basketball and receiving several All-State Honors. He received a full athletic scholarship to the University of South Dakota to play football. In 1960, he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Lackland AFB in Texas where he met and married Gayle Boyd. Together they had two children, Taffey (George) Iskandar and Tab (Esther) Wells. In 1972, he married Phyllis Loecker and together had 4 children, Jeff (Lisa) Loecker-Wells, Shanna (Jeff) Warden, Jeremy (Amanda) Wells and Chris (Loni) Wells. He married Cheryll Jenniges in 2022 after many years of partnership together.
Over the years he had several careers including sales and small business owner. He loved to tell stories and those that knew him would say his laugh was infectious. He always lived life on his terms even if it wasn’t the popular way. He was most happy outdoors tending to his cows and horses. Each summer he enjoyed returning to his roots in Woonsocket to maintain contact with extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Lyle, and sisters; Rita, Esther, and Darlene. He is survived by his wife, Cheryll Jenniges-Wells; sisters, Bonnie (Roland) Dant and Betty (Tom) Wolterman; all his children, 16 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.
Interment will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date. A celebration of his life is planned for July 19th in Woonsocket.
You may sign his online guestbook at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
