Joe A. Wells, 91, of Williston, ND passed away on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at his home in Williston, ND with his family by his side.

Joe Anderson Wells was born to William Loye Wells and Alli (Galloway) Wells on December 31, 1932 in Coleman, Texas. He passed away early Christmas morning to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with the Lord. He married Violet Carol Papineau on January 5, 1952, and from this union they had seven children: Carolle Wells, Rebecca (Gary) Gilbertson, Joni (Mike) Sonsalla, Tracy (Scott) Bergstrom, Jackie Wells, Michael (Sandra) Wells, Cecily (William) Schwandt, 20 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Joe moved with his parents and siblings from Coleman, Texas to various places including Mesilla Valley New Mexico. He still considered himself to be a Texan. He would travel to Texas, as much as possible, to visit his siblings and other relatives. He moved to Williston when he was 18 years old and met his soon to be wife, Violet, at a dance hall. Violet was asked what she saw in Joe, and she replied, “I thought he was kind of cute”. Violet said that he was not a good dancer, and she had to teach him. She taught him well.

As a young child Joe worked in the cotton fields and once hopped a train to California. After finding no work he hopped on the train again to go back home. He said he only had 10 cents in his pocket and was hungry. Upon moving to North Dakota, he found work as a farm laborer along with various other jobs. He worked at MDU for 21 years before starting his own construction company, Joe’s Digging Service, Inc. which has been in business for 50 years. Joe was a hard worker and perfectionist and would often be working 2 to 3 jobs to support his large family. He was extremely generous in helping out his siblings and his own children in time of need.

Joe enjoyed card games, cribbage, and playing his guitar. He played on KEYZ radio station in the 60’s and would entertain theater goers at the drive-in. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, camping, boating, and waterskiing often pulling as many as 5 people behind the boat. Racing snowmobiles was another sport, not just racing the snowmobiles, but just having fun in the snow which ended him sinking his snowmobile and himself into the lagoon. He enjoyed motorcycle racing, which included hill climbing, scramble track racing and flat track racing. He loved the motorsports so much that he raced with a cast on his leg and came in second place. Next came a passion for airplanes, so he got his pilot license and would fly at any given opportunity. Joe had a horse named Willy and a small herd of cattle on his property in Williston. In his later years, after he was mostly blind, he would ride his golf cart around his yard and go with his son Mike checking on job sites. His favorite thing to eat was Ice Cream and looked forward to his monthly massage with Amy Haase.

Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, and Sundowners Motorcycle Club. Once the motorcycle club went to the Sturgis, SD rally where they won best dressed club.

Joe was a very sociable person and was often seen at Lonnie’s Roadhouse visiting friends. He loved spending time with family and friends. He bought a cabin at Long Creek and spent quite a bit of time there and when the family got larger, he bought the cabin next door for the grand kids to sleep. Joe often told stories of his childhood and his many escapades to anyone who would listen. He would talk for hours barely taking a breath before going on the next subject.

Joe is survived by his wife, Violet of 72 years; children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews that are too numerous to mention.

He his preceded in death by one grandson, Noah Gilbertson, and daughter-in-law, Kristi Grove Wells.

He will be missed by all.

2nd Timothy 4:7 The good fight I have fought, the race I have completed, the faith I have kept (NIV)

The Lord is holding him in the palm of His hand, which brings peace to his family.

Memorial Contribution

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