Floyd D. Wells, 82 of Bryan-College Station, TX was born in Meridian, Mississippi on March 8, 1932 and passed from this life into God’s glory on June 21, 2014. A Memorial Service will be held at 10am, Thursday, July 3 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, 3001 S College Avenue Bryan, Texas. Cremation services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory.
He is preceded in death by his father Robert D. Wells and mother Ruby Inez (Knight) Wells. Survivors include his wife of 55 years Lanelle Wells; his sons Michael Dewitt Wells and wife Julie of Crystal Beach, Florida, and William Perry Wells of Bryan, Texas; two daughters Pamela Kay Wells Walkup and husband David, of College Station, Texas and daughter Debbie Hill, of Katy, Texas; his two grandsons and one granddaughter; his two brothers Russell Wells and wife Margie of Ft. Worth, Texas, Bob Wells and wife Dot of Bolivar, Tennessee; his two sisters Jo Ann Hamilton and husband Ham of Anchorage, Alaska and Joyce Masters and husband Donnie of Sugarland, Texas; and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. Floyd was an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
Floyd served in the United States Air Force. In 1973 Floyd spent a lengthy time in the Temple VA Hospital. There he was introduced to the Disabled American Veterans Organization. After talking to a number of patients on the ward, he realized how little the average veteran knew about their benefits. Upon his release from the hospital, he returned home and realized that there was not a local chapter of the DAV. He contacted Region III, and with their help and guidance Chapter 200 was chartered February of 1974 where he was Commander for over 25 years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 West 26th St., Bryan, Texas 77803.
The Wells family would like to offer special thanks to the many caretakers who took such good care of our loving father and husband.
Expressions of condolences can be made at callawayjones.com
Pam, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
My dear LaNell and family,
My sincere sympathy for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose one’s life partner, but I know also that loving memories of happier times will give comfort to you and your family. I just want you to know I’m thinking of you with love and sympathy. And I wish you were still just down the hall here at Watercrest.
Margaret E. Touchstone
Remembering a man who honored us with his
service
Posted: Monday, June 30, 2014 12:00 am
Floyd Wells served his country well in the U.S. Air Force and was proud of his service — and
rightly so.
Shortly after graduating from an Oklahoma high school, Wells enlisted in the Air Force. While
serving in Korea during that conflict, Wells was injured by shrapnel. He finished his service time
in Alaska and, after being discharged in 1954, he remained there as a medical technician and
safety supervisor for the Air National Guard.
He moved to Houston and began attending the University of Houston, but eye problems from an
unknown cause forced him to drop out. He lost the sight in one eye and partial sight in the other.
So, he went to work for an oil company, which transferred him to Bryan in 1961. What a
fortuitous move for this community, especially for the areas disabled military veterans.
As great as his Air Force service was, his service in the years after he left the Air Force was even
greater.
In 1972, Wells spent a considerable amount of time in the Veterans Administration hospital in
Temple for severe headaches and a back injury. It was a time when veterans actually could get the
treatment they deserve. While there, volunteers with the Disabled American Veterans
Organization met with him and helped guide him in his recovery.
Returning home, Wells realized there wasn’t a DAV post here. The closest chapter was in Killeen,
home of Fort Hood. That wasn’t good enough for Wells, who worked with DAV national officials
to establish DAV Post 200 in Bryan, chartered in December 1974. The chapter began with just 17
members, but Wells’ enthusiasm, dedication and hard work made up for the small numbers.
At last, America’s disabled veterans in the Brazos Valley had a place to go for help with
everything from medical assistance to veterans benefits. There is somebody there who will help
cut through the paperwork and the government nonsense.
“People with disabilities have one strike against them, and sometimes they need somebody to
build up their confidence, their desire to make a better life for themselves,” Wells told The Eagle
in a 1984 interview. “A family can get devastated if it loses its disability income, if it takes months
to get reinstated. …
“I’m for a strong defense, but the people involved in a strong defense are more important than the
nuclear bombs and tanks and airplanes. Some of these people need help desperately.”
Wells went to bat for those veterans and, through his hard work, improved the lives of so many
disabled veterans and their families.
Wells served as commander of the local DAV Post 200 for an amazing 25 years, and his efforts on
behalf of his fellow disabled veterans never waned. He also served as commander of the Region
III Disabled American Veterans Organization. Even after he stepped down as Chapter 200
commander, he continued to work for his fellow disabled veterans.
We at The Eagle were very familiar with Wells and were great admirers of his efforts. He wrote
numerous columns for this newspaper over the years and was a frequent visitor to our newsroom
to promote activities and programs of the DAV.
Floyd Dewitt Wells died June 21 at the age of 82. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m.
Thursday at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan.
Of course, it is proper to pay tribute to Wells then, but, really, his greatest legacy will be every
time a disabled veteran gets the help he or she needs. In meeting that need, the spirit of Floyd D.
Wells will be there.
God rest, Commander Wells. Job well done.
Remembering a man who honored us with his service – The Eagle: Editorials