Richard (Dick) W. Wells

“Grandpa Dick”
Richard W. (Dick) Wells, 87, a wonderful father, dedicated family man, a noted civic leader and a prominent Utah businessman passed away Sunday, October 8, 2006 of causes incident to age. He is dearly loved and will be greatly missed by many. Dick was born in Salt Lake City, Utah October 28, 1918, to Clarence Theodore Wells and Alice Matilda Poole. After his father passed away, he was reared by his stepfather, Frank H. Michels. He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy E. (Betty) Snow on October 5, 1939, in the Salt Lake Temple. She passed away November 9, 1983. In 1985, he married LeNore M. Gill.
He served his country in World War II and later returned to Salt Lake where he worked in the appliance business for many years with Flint Distributing and Huish Distributing before opening Wells Distributing in 1964.
Dick loved Salt Lake City and served his community well as a Member and President of the Sugar House Lions Club; Chairman of the Board of Cottonwood Security Bank; President, Intermountain Electrical Association; a member of the Air Travel Council; member of the Board of Governors and President of the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce; Head Salt Shaker; member of the U of U Roundtable; member of Sales & Marketing Executive Council; and President, Utah Wholesalers Association. In 1975, he was very instrumental in bringing UPS into Utah and he considered this one of the most important things he did for our community during his business career. He was a strong supporter of Primary Children’s Medical Center, serving on the Board of Trustees for the hospital and as a member of the Finance Committee of that Board. He also served as Chairman of Children Associates, the fund-raising arm of the Center and on the Men’s Endowment Committee. He was instrumental in raising the funds to construct the present Primary Children’s Medical Center. He spent many hours working as an advocate for The Festival of Trees, which was founded by his wife, Betty, as well as Pennies by the Inch.
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in many capacities, including Stake High Councilor in three different stakes, multiple High Priest Group Presidencies, the Sunday School Organization and the Young Men’s programs. He became a bishop of the Union Fort 7th Ward at the age of 74.
Preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Betty; great-grandson, Eli Ryan Gill; and son-in-law, Richard K. Tanner. Survived by sweet wife, Lenore; daughters, Judy (Jeff) Gill, Susan (Tom) Ludlow, Janice (Bill) Sipes; loving step-family: Connie (John Snow), Ruland (Karen) Gill, Shauna (Steve) Hillstead, and Kelly (Carrie) Gill (Brentwood, Tenn.); 28 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; brother, Frank (Marcella) Michels; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 12 noon, Thursday, October 12th at the Union Fort 7th Ward, 6770 So. 500 E. Friends may call Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 So. State Street, and one hour prior to the services on Thursday at the church. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Primary Children’s Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 58249, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158-0249.