Dewitt Wells

DeWitt Edgar “Lucky” Wells, 97, of Winston-Salem, NC, formerly of Poughkeepsie, NY, passed away peacefully of natural causes in Winston-Salem on May 22, 2022.

DeWitt was born on June 29, 1924 in Newark, New Jersey to the late George Calder Wells and Hilda Victoria Nelson Wells. He graduated from Poughkeepsie High School.

He was a decorated WWII veteran, serving in the US Army from March 6, 1943 until he was honorably discharged from service on October 13, 1945. He entered combat in the first wave of the Normandy Invasion, landing on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He fought his way across France from June to December 1944 as a Staff Sergeant and Rifleman in the 359th Regiment of the “Tough ‘Ombres” 90th Infantry Division. He left combat in December 1944 after suffering frostbite during the Battle of the Bulge.

DeWitt married his high school sweetheart Joyce Emma Myers on February 16, 1947 in Poughkeepsie, NY following his return from World War II. He was skilled at many things and worked as a refrigeration and AC technician in Schenectady, NY; volunteer firefighter in Poughkeepsie, NY; diesel mechanic at H.O. Penn Machinery in Poughkeepsie, NY and Carolina Tractor Company in Greensboro, NC; and master electrician at Douglas Battery in Winston-Salem. After retiring to care for his wife, he worked for many years as a mechanic and stump grinder for his son Dan’s tree care company. He could repair virtually anything; and if he couldn’t fix or replace it, he would just make a new one.

DeWitt and Joyce were long time and active members of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Poughkeepsie, NY, and later Calvary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem, NC. Joyce was the great love of his life. He cared for her for many years when she was in failing health. Their favorite song was “Sentimental Journey”.

He enjoyed life to the fullest. He was happiest when he was working, had a life-long love of learning, and enjoyed building and creating new things. Some of his many other joys in life were roller skating, music, model trains and old movies. He was an accomplished dancer on roller skates, participating in skating competitions in his youth and continuing to skate and teach others until well into his 80s.

DeWitt is survived by his sons Raymond (Pam) Wells of Charlotte, NC and Daniel (Marsha) Wells of Winston-Salem, NC and daughter, Grace (Ken) Johnson of Wilmington, NC; granddaughters Kiley (Dane) Wilkinson of Hampstead, NC and Holly Wells of Winston-Salem, NC; step-grandchildren Jeremy and Emily Davis; great-grandchildren Slade, Saylor and Sterling Wilkinson, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Joyce Wells in 2011, brother Ralph Wells, sister Isabelle Gemeny and granddaughter Kelsie Holbrook.

He was kind, caring and friendly to everyone he met. His engaging personality and wonderful sense of humor will be missed greatly by his family and many friends.

The family will receive friends Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC followed by a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons, NC. A celebration of DeWitt’s life and service will be held later that day at a time and location to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to AARF Animal Rescue (https://www.aarfws.org/) of Winston-Salem, NC.

The family would like to thank the staff of Trellis Supportive Care, and a special thank you to Veterans Support Coordinator Don Timmons, to long-time friends and neighbors Kurt and Deb Shaw, and to special friends Erinn Dearth, Serah Haley and June Findlay.