Bernard William "Barney" Wells Jr.

1943 - 2025

Bernard William "Barney" Wells Jr., Bernard William Wells, Jr. (known to family and friends as Barney) 81, of Ona, WV, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Barney was born on October 31, 1943 in Louisville, KY to the late Bernard Sr. and Dorothy (Bohr) Wells, on his mother's birthday, a fact which brought him great joy. Barney spent the early years of his life in Louisville, KY, and Oak Ridge, TN before his family settled into their loving home in Dunbar, WV. He graduated from Charleston Catholic where he played basketball, baseball, and enjoyed participating in his school's theater program. He attended West Virginia State to study business and play baseball. He lived in Louisville, KY before returning to WV to begin a 45+ year career with General Electric Company.

While Barney's kindness and sense of humor were a theme throughout his life and relationships, his family was always at the center of what was most important to him. He shared 46 years of a joyful and devoted partnership with his loving wife Jane. Barney was the proud and cherished father of 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was an encouraging, thoughtful, and playful uncle, great uncle, sibling, in-law, and cousin.

Barney's Christian faith gave him strength in life and hope in death - a legacy of love that he passed on to his family and friends. In addition, Barney enjoyed years of playing, watching, and coaching sports, which included many consecutive years spent on the softball field until he retired from playing at age 65. Barney was also skilled in the area of home improvement and enjoyed maintaining a warm and inviting home with Jane.

Barney is survived by his wife, Jane Wells; children: Keli Rueckert (Tim), Amy Womack (Barry), Barney Wells (Sherry), Jacob Parsons-Wells (Rachel), and Josh Wells (Kelsey); and siblings: Cathy Carr, Tim Wells, and Peggy Gallups.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Edward, and son, Adam.

A Celebration of Barney's life and Funeral Service will be 11:00am October 8, 2025 at Lewis Memorial Baptist Church, 1358 West Pea Ridge Road Huntington, WV 25705 with Dr. David Lemming officiating. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park St. Albans, WV.

Friends may visit the family an hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in Barney's name to: Hospice of Huntington 1101 Sixth Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 or Lewis Memorial Baptist Church.

Anyone wishing to leave the family an online memory may do so by visiting Barney's tribute page at: www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com.

Chapman Funeral Home 3941 Teays Valley Road Hurricane, WV 25526 is honored to serve the Wells family.