Louis Cecil Wells

Louis Cecil Wells, 80, of Daleville, Va., passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2009, after a short battle with cancer. Louis was born on March 6, 1929, at home along Guest River between Wise and Norton, Va., to Joseph and Blanche Graybeal Wells. He graduated from Wise High School in 1946 and enlisted in the Navy after graduation. During his three years in the Navy, he attended electronics school and later taught at the Officer's Electronic School.
After leaving the Navy, Louis attended Georgia Tech, completing both his under graduate and master's degree in electrical engineering. While at Georgia Tech, he worked at WGST radio station, led a Boy Scout Troop and was a member of ODK. While still in school, he married his high school sweetheart, Vernelle Mullins, on August 15, 1953. Louis' career included engineering and management positions in a number of aviation electronics firms located in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Iowa and Florida. His love of aviation carried over to his personal life and he held a private pilot's license for single engine aircraft.
Louis and Vernelle spent the last 16 years of retirement in the Roanoke area. Wherever he lived, Louis was an active member of the local United Methodist Church. Earlier in his retirement, he served for several years on the Board of Directors of Camp Bethel in Wise, Va. Louis and Vernelle also generously supported a wide variety of individual and organizational ministries.
Louis is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Vernelle (Mullins) Wells; his daughters; Betty Means, of Simsbury, Conn., and Linda Gooding, of Roanoke, Va.; his grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Means, of Chicago, Ill, and Andrew, Emily and Will Gooding, of Roanoke, Va.; his nieces and nephews, Joe Wells, Lamar Bolling, Ruth Wells, and Bruce Wells; and many close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Blanche Graybeal Wells; his brothers, Clifford and Bruce Wells; his sister, Vivian Bryson; and nephew, Roger Wells.
Friends are welcome to call on Tuesday, October 20, 2009, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home, 630 Roanoke Road in Daleville. A Funeral Service celebrating Louis' life will be held 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Daleville. Officiating will be Pastor Dave Rochford and Hugh Nichols. Interment will follow in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes all memorial contributions be made to the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, P.O. Box 11525, Roanoke, Va. 24022-1525 or the Straight Street of the Roanoke Valley, P.O. Box 11411, Roanoke, Va. 24022-1411 in Louis' memory.
Arrangements are entrusted to Rader Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 630 Roanoke Road, Daleville, Va., 540-992-1212.
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