Philip Laverne Wells

Philip Laverne Wells, age 92 of Hardinsburg, KY, passed away Friday, May 4, 2018, at Hardinsburg Nursing & Rehab.

Phil was born May 1, 1926, in Williamsport, PA, son of the late Philip and Rosella Wells. His wife, Helen Mildred “Millie” Elder Wells and his only sibling, Melvin E. Wells, as well as, 8 brothers-in-law and 7 sisters-in-law, and some nephews and nieces preceded him in death. Phil had no children.

He joined the Marines at age 17 and served in WWII as a Private First Class. On Iwo Jima he was a radioman runner, rifleman, led replacements, and became acting platoon leader. He received The Purple Heart for wounds in combat.

After WWII, he specialized in TV repair and later into the birth of computers. He worked for two fortune 500 companies for over 30 years in several levels of management. He retired in 1986 as a manager and technical engineer from Data General. He taught college in Durham, NC on Computers, Hardware, and Software for 3 years before retiring again in 1990.

He was a lifetime member of the Hardinsburg VFW Post 5831 and a member of the 4th Marine Division Association Derby Chapter No. 13. Phil enjoyed traveling in his Mustang convertible all over the country visiting relatives and friends. He loved to organize family and military reunions and celebrations. He was an avid golfer and bowler. He loved photography and documenting his travels.

Surviving locally special nieces as caregivers, Whitney Williams, Madonna Kullman, & Barb Barr; and niece Pamela J. Wells (Robert) Klotz (PA); sisters-in-law, Joan Wells (PA), Edna Elder (Richard) Thompson (FL), Nettie “Deanie” Dean Elder (KY), and Floeva Davis Elder (KY); and numerous nieces and nephews located all over.

A Private Memorial service was held at Trent-Dowell Funeral Home in Hardinsburg, KY. A burial will be held with military honors in Williamsport, PA in the near future.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Phil’s honor to Hosparus Central KY and Cody’s Cause, Inc. (codyscause.org).

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