Raymond Alexander Wells died Tuesday, January 12, at home with his children at his side. He was born January 27, 1934, in Spaulding, Michigan to William and Delia (Corriveau) Wells.

Ray graduated from Powers-Spaulding High School in 1953. He served in the United States Navy from 1955-1957 with Air Transport Squadron 23 and was stationed in Atsugi, Japan, where he played baseball with the Navy Flyers. On July 23, 1960, Ray married Helen Andrews in Hermansville, Michigan, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They moved to the Fox Valley where they raised their three children and Ray began his career at Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company retiring in 1996.

Next to his family Ray's second love was music. He began playing with the Wells family band at age 11 and in 1963 joined the Ray Dorschner's Rainbow Valley Dutchman Band. He was their drummer for over 45 years and travelled with the band all over the country and Europe. Ray was honored to be inducted into the Polka Hall of Fame.

Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman. He never missed a hunting season with his 5 brothers in Michigan at his brother's hunting camp and later with his sons and grandsons in Pickerel, Wisconsin.

Ray is survived by his three children: daughter Marylin (Mark) Prothero; sons Jay (Kay) Wells, John (Diane) Wells; seven grandchildren: Tara Sanderfoot, Kara Sanderfoot, Molly (Andrew) Longworth, Ross (Kayla) Wells, Matthew Wells, Jamison (Stephanie) Wells, Daniel (Brooke) Wells; four brothers: William  (Jeanette) Wells, Thomas (Elinor) Wells, Richard (Judy) Wells, Jerry (Dawn) Wells; one sister: Mary (Richard) Piche; two brothers-in-law: John (MaryAnn) Andrews, Bruce (Stella) Andrews; one sister-in-law: Dawn Marie Wells; and many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife Helen, his parents Wallace and Delia Wells, brother Daniel Wells, father and mother-in-law Sidney and Sofia Andrews, and sister-in-law Marilyn.

Visitation will be held January 23, 2021 at O'CONNELL FUNERAL HOME (1776 E. Main St. Little Chute) beginning at 12:00 Noon until time of Funeral at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Carl Schmitt officiating.  Military honors, conducted by the William Verhagen American Legion Post 60, will immediately follow.  Burial will take place in Powers Michigan at a later date.

The family would like to thank Lorraine and Dawn with ThedaCare Hospice for the care they provided to Ray during his final days.