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William Wells Obituary

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William Wells

Martinsburg, WV

December 19, 1938 - March 24, 2021

William Wells Obituary

William Wells, 82, of Hedgesville passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Berkeley Medical Center. Born December 19, 1938 in Paducah, KY, he was the son of the late Hoyt Wells and Rosella Mansker Wells. He has worked for the space program since its inception. He was very proud to have served in the following capacities for Bendix Field Engineering (later Allied Signal): 1968-1973 - Bermuda - Apollo - Skylab Telemetry/Unified S Band Supervisor 1973-1975 - Ascension Island - Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz, Scientific Satellites Operations Manager 1976-1980 - Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt Maryland - All NASA stations world wide located in the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Bermuda, Spain, Australia, and the Seychelles. Provided training for all station personnel for scientific missions and the upcoming Space Shuttle missions. NASA Simulations Team Manager 1980-1999- TDRS Tracking and Data Satellite System, White Sands Complex, N.M-Provided tracking, command and data support for all earth orbiting satellites compatible with the TDRSS system. Operations and Senior Manager for the NASA contractor team. Since 2000 he has been consulting with multiple aerospace contractors providing system engineering support at Goddard Space Flight Center- NASA Space Network, while managing and supporting various independent review teams for new satellite production, testing and launch verification. He is survived by his wife, Mary Wells; two daughters, Robin Wells LeTourneau and husband Glenn, Theresa Wells Stifel and husband Robert; four grandchildren, Olivia, George, Melanie, and Samantha; two brothers, Fred and Jerry Wells; and a sister, Maridel Ripley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Glenda Wise. Dad taught us the value of hard work, that your word was your bond, and that integrity is a way of life. Bill was a devoted friend, a passionate boss, a dedicated colleague, a doting brother, husband, father and grandpa, a fierce defender and a bigger than life presence. His spirit lives on when we delight in a job well done, expect more of ourselves than of others, and gather to celebrate being in each other’s company and share a laugh and a story. In lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider a donation in his honor to pulmonaryfibrosis.org or the American Lung Association. Recent advances in proactive treatments enabled us to have him years longer than was foretold. Because of covid-19 restrictions we are unable to gather together now but plan on having a party to celebrate him in the summer. So for now raise a glass and toast this man among men. Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home.

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