Buddy Lee Wells devoted Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-grandfather passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 in Soda Springs, Idaho.

Buddy was born on August 26, 1939 to William Orlando Wells and Betsy Arlillian (Winterbottom) Wells. He was the 10th child of 11 in the Wells Family, 9 boys and 2 girls. He spent his youth growing up in Montpelier, Idaho with every summer spent in the local mountains with his father and brothers herding sheep. His best friends in life were his siblings, Charlie, Vernon, Rex, Beth, Samuel (Junior), Mae, Gus, Darrel, Larry (Butch) and Laurel (Binky).

Buddy attended school in Montpelier, ID and Laramie, WY choosing to go to work after finishing the 9th grade in various road construction jobs. He spent some time riding bareback broncs in the local rodeos. He had a great love for horses and working with them breaking them so that they could be ridden. He had a lot of good times with hotrods and raising heck with his brothers Butch and Darrel.

In July of 1962 he met the love of his life, Dana Kay Haddenham at the A&W in Cheyenne, Wyoming where Dana worked as a car hop on roller skates. It took him a bit to work up the nerve to finally ask her out and they were married on October 3, 1962.

Buddy worked various construction, ranching and farming jobs in Southeast Idaho and across Wyoming. He went to work for Monsanto in 1967 retiring in 1994. Buddy always loved driving semis and he spent several years after his retirement working for Rex and Rusty Hayes. He loved taking the grandkids with him when he could in the Semi.

Together Buddy and Dana raised 4 children living in Montpelier, ID and then settling in Soda Springs in 1971 where he remained until his death.

Buddy loved to hunt, fish and spend time with his family and his sibling's families in the mountains teaching them how to shoot and how to drive on the backroads. He enjoyed being involved with the Soda Springs Mud Racing Team and competing with his big blue Ford truck. The grandkids called him Papa Buddy so that is what he painted on his mud truck. Later on, some of his great grandkids called him Old Papa and Cowboy Papa. He taught his children how to work on their vehicles and to maintain them. He enjoyed motorcycles, snow machines and any kind of adventure as long as he was with his family. He loved to go to the shooting range and shoot with his kids and grandkids. His greatest love and joy was his wife and kids. He was filled with joy at becoming a grandpa and living long enough to be a great-grandpa. He was full of mischief and always up for a water fight or giving them a good tickling. He always said how grateful and proud he was of his children and that he had a rich life because of his family. We always knew we could count on Dad even when we messed up a little. He definitely taught us right from wrong.

He enjoyed the people he worked with and made many friends throughout his lifetime.
Buddy is survived by his wife, Dana, his four children, (Carl) Brenda Erickson of Soda Springs, Becky Wells of Meridian, ID, Kelly (Valee) Wells of Soda Springs and Casey (Sharon) Wells of Pocatello, ID. He is survived by 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He is survived by 5 sister-in-law's, 5 brother-in-law's and too many nieces and nephews to count.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, "Bill and Lill" Wells and all 10 of his siblings, Mother and Father in law, George and Margaret Haddenham, 5 sisters-in-law and 3 brothers-in-law, 9 nephews and 4 nieces. He was heartbroken to be preceded in death by two grandchildren Andrew Bryce Wells and Kimberlee Ann Wells that did not survive to begin their life on this earth.

With such a large family between Buddy and Dana and their siblings there was a lot of love and joy along with the heartaches. We are blessed with so much love and closeness in our family, relatives and friends.

The legacy that Buddy Lee Wells leaves behind is the strong bond of family, a great love of the outdoors, horses, hotrods, laughter and fun. His twinkle of mischief and laughter, work ethic and being there for one another will live on in his wife and family.

If he could have, he would have simply got on a horse, rode off into the sunset to rest against a pine tree to pass to the other side. He did not want a fuss and sadness when he left us.

With the current world events, there will be a private family graveside service held on Saturday, April 18, 2020 to take him to his final resting place in the Montpelier, ID Cemetery. The family is planning to hold a Celebration of Life Memorial in August for our family and friends. Details will be provided at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family humbly asks that donations be made to:

Diabetes Fund Portneuf Health Trust, Inc.
500 South 11th Avenue, Suite 503
Pocatello, ID 83201
Please specify Donation in Memory of Buddy Wells to Diabetes Fund