Billy’s Obituary Billy M. Wells July 1, 1924 – January 17, 2019 Billy Max Wells, 94, of Frankenmuth, passed away on January 17, 2019 entering heaven as graciously, patiently, and humbly as he lived his life. Billy was born on July 1, 1924 in Flint to Norman and Laura (Loveland) Wells. On September 22, 1951, Billy married Dorothy Boettcher at Emanuel Lutheran Church of Flint.
They celebrated 67 years of marriage. Billy was a member of the Flint Central High School cross country team, where he graduated in 1942. He took a student coop position with General Motors AC Spark Plug following graduation.
However, in 1943, he was drafted into the Army to serve in World War II. He served in Company B for 3 years, traveling through many countries including France, Belgium, and Germany. He was located just outside the Panama Canal when the news broke that the war had ended.
They continued their journey to the Philippines where he finished out his enlistment period. Billy was a proud WWII veteran. Following Billy’s service to the Army, he took a Tool & Die apprenticeship with General Motors.
In the 1960’s he moved into the design area, where he spent 50% of his time in drawing dies, and 50% of his time in the area of design of a vehicle’s dashboard. He later worked directly with the die companies and followed the die manufacturing from design to implementation. He was a “Design Engineer” when he retired from General Motors AC Spark Plug 42 years later in 1984.
Billy lived his life with integrity unmatched by any other. He was a very well respected, trustworthy, and an honorable husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He had an unending smile and quiet charisma that drew people to him.
He always loved a good joke and was an avid sports fan. At age 34, in 1958, Billy was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church by Pastor Jerome Spaude. He was a dedicated voting member of church council and the school board of education at Emanuel Lutheran, and he was a devoted member of St. John’s Lutheran of Frankenmuth.
Billy’s hobbies included architecture and master carpentry. He drew the blue prints in preparation to build their first new home, while also designing and remodeling the entire cabin, their home away from home on Houghton Lake. Billy is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy.
He is also survived by three children, Lamar Wells, Kay (Jerry Riordan) Wells-Riordan, and Karen (Paula Sagala) Wells. He was the proud grandfather to Connyr Wells. He is survived by his brother Norm Howard (Jean) Wells, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Norman and Laura Wells, his brother in-law and sister in-law Harold and Shirley (Meyer) Boettcher, and his niece Susan Wells. Funeral services will take place Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1200 E. Genesee, Frankenmuth, Michigan. Rev.
Jeff Luplow will officiate with burial to take place later at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Billy’s family will receive visitors at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Frankenmuth or Emanuel Lutheran Church of Flint.
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