CHESTERTOWN, Md. - J. Willis Wells, died Oct. 7, 2012 in University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore, Md. Mr. Wells was born on Sept. 5, 1914 in Pittsville, Md, son of the late William Howard and Mary Farlow Wells. He was raised in Pittsville where is grandfather, father and mother all held funeral director licenses, operating the local funeral establishment. After graduating from Pittsville High School in 1932 he traveled to Philadelphia and enrolled in Eckel's Mortuary College graduating in 1935. In 1938 he took a position with the recently widowed Mrs. Jesse Usilton in Chestertown where he began his career as a young Funeral Director continuing for over 60 years of dedicated service to his community. Mr. Wells also achieved certification from Wilmer Eye Institute to perform eye enucleations. His memberships were extensive, where he helped found the Kent and Queen Anne's Rescue Squad, Kent County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Chestertown Elks Lodge. He was a life member of Chestertown Vol. Fire Co., serving as past President and board member, past President of the Chestertown Lions Club, past Master of Chester Lodge #115 AF & AM, had served on the Advisory Board for Maryland National Bank and Second National Bank, Maryland State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, Delmarva Funeral Service Assoc., Kent County Farm Bureau, Chester River Yacht and Country Club, Chestertown Town Council, and helped organize the Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts Troop #130. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Iola Hollinger Wells in 2004; a daughter, Deborah Orr in July of 2012; and three sisters, Gladys Wilkerson, Elizabeth Rayne, and Lura Shockley. Mr. Wells is survived by his daughters, Bonnie Gatton and her husband Ron of Trappe, Md., and Iola 'Sis' J-W Wells of Chestertown; their ½ brother, Don Hollinger of Easton, Md; son-in-law, Duane Orr of Worton, Md; a granddaughter, Katie Clark and her husband Rodney; grandson, David Gatton and his wife Amy; and two great-grandchildren, Caleb Clark and Emily Gatton. Friends may call on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St. Galena, MD, with Masonic service at 7 p.m. and Elks service to follow. Funeral service will be held on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012 at 1 p.m. in St. Paul's Parish, Kent, 2579 Sandy Bottom Rd., Chestertown, MD, where burial will follow in adjoining cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to the Kent & Queen Anne's Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 126, Chestertown, MD. 21620 or Chestertown Vol. Fire Co. P.O. Box 296, Chestertown, MD. 21620. www.galenafuneralhomeofsls.com.