Obituary for William Baxter Wells
William Baxter Wells, 93, died peacefully at home on Saturday, August 21, 2021, from natural causes.
He was born on May 12, 1928, in Bessemer City, N.C., and was the son of the late John Baxter Wells and Sadie Lottie Crook Wells.
Mr. Wells was a graduate of Bessemer City High School. In school he discovered a passion for sports and was a superior athelete. He excelled at football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. His talented athleticism skills, led him to the following "once in a life-time" career opportunities: Two full college football scholarships, a position to play for the Chicago Cubs, professional boxing growth opportunity in the U.S. Army, and an offer to work for the F.B.I.
After serving in the U.S. Army as an E2 from 1950-1956, he began a career in textiles as a Superindent. In 1972, Mr. Wells began a new career by starting his own business as a convenient store owner in Bessemer City. The name of the store was "Big Bill's Place," which also became his "trade-mark" name. "Big Bill" was a well-known-reputable name in the town of Bessemer City.
He officially retired from the store business in 1997.During his retirement years, Mr. Wells enjoyed gardening, cutting grass, performing "his style" of home improvements, and spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Wells is preceded in death by his sisters Ruby Wells Cobb and Inez Wells Lail; and his beloved, special daughter Tracey Dawn Wells.
Mr. Wells is survived by his sister, Mary Evelene Payne; his wife of sixty-two years, Rudene Wall Wells; two daughters, Amy Wells Costner and Gaye Beam Abernathy; three granddaughters, Rebekah Suzanne Sutton, Jessica Leigh Costner, and Lesley Abernathy Chapman; two great-granddaughters, Kaelyn Leighanne Scroggs and Everleigh Grace Laye; two great-grandsons, Colton Reid Melton and Carson Thomas Chapman.
A funeral service was held at "A Simple Service Burial and Cremation", 451 Hospital Drive, Gastonia, N.C. 28054 on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 1:00 pm.
A graveside military recognition followed at the "Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery", North 13'th Street, Bessemer, City, N.C. 28016.
He was born on May 12, 1928, in Bessemer City, N.C., and was the son of the late John Baxter Wells and Sadie Lottie Crook Wells.
Mr. Wells was a graduate of Bessemer City High School. In school he discovered a passion for sports and was a superior athelete. He excelled at football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. His talented athleticism skills, led him to the following "once in a life-time" career opportunities: Two full college football scholarships, a position to play for the Chicago Cubs, professional boxing growth opportunity in the U.S. Army, and an offer to work for the F.B.I.
After serving in the U.S. Army as an E2 from 1950-1956, he began a career in textiles as a Superindent. In 1972, Mr. Wells began a new career by starting his own business as a convenient store owner in Bessemer City. The name of the store was "Big Bill's Place," which also became his "trade-mark" name. "Big Bill" was a well-known-reputable name in the town of Bessemer City.
He officially retired from the store business in 1997.During his retirement years, Mr. Wells enjoyed gardening, cutting grass, performing "his style" of home improvements, and spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Wells is preceded in death by his sisters Ruby Wells Cobb and Inez Wells Lail; and his beloved, special daughter Tracey Dawn Wells.
Mr. Wells is survived by his sister, Mary Evelene Payne; his wife of sixty-two years, Rudene Wall Wells; two daughters, Amy Wells Costner and Gaye Beam Abernathy; three granddaughters, Rebekah Suzanne Sutton, Jessica Leigh Costner, and Lesley Abernathy Chapman; two great-granddaughters, Kaelyn Leighanne Scroggs and Everleigh Grace Laye; two great-grandsons, Colton Reid Melton and Carson Thomas Chapman.
A funeral service was held at "A Simple Service Burial and Cremation", 451 Hospital Drive, Gastonia, N.C. 28054 on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 1:00 pm.
A graveside military recognition followed at the "Bessemer City Memorial Cemetery", North 13'th Street, Bessemer, City, N.C. 28016.