Ronald Ray Wells

Ronald Ray Wells, 73, of Bass, Arkansas, died Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, at Hospice of the Hills in Harrison. He was born Jan. 18, 1943, in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Chester Ray and Doris Elizabeth Lewis Wells. He lived in Bass for 43 years and was a former resident of Connecticut, Minnesota and Kansas. He was a minister, carpenter, pig farmer, woodcarver and knifemaker. He graduated from Burlington High School, Emporia State University and Yale University. He was a member of Blacksmiths of Arkansas and Tired Iron. His favorite thing in the last few years was going to Vinita, Oklahoma, to get coal for the Blacksmiths of Arkansas members. He made Ron Wells carving knives for several years for other woodcarvers all over the United States. He received the Jack Smith Award from the Blacksmiths of Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his father, Chet Wells, and his son, Jacob Wells. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bertie; his mother, Doris Wells of Pittsburg, Kansas; one daughter, Heidi Wells of Farmington, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Zachary Stambuck of Overland Park, Kansas, Nicholas Stambuck of Farmington, Madalaine Hughes of Fallbrook, California, Gabriel Wells of Russellville, and Josey Wells of Haskell; two great-grandchildren, Ryleigh and Arwen; two sisters, Renee (Darrel) Hawkins of Augusta, Kansas, and Stacy (Joe) Clark of North Little Rock, Arkansas; one brother, Jeff (Dawn) Wells of Pittsburg; 16 nieces and nephews; and 21 great-nieces and nephews. A memorial celebration and potluck dinner will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at Mt. Judea School. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Jacob Wells Memorial Fund, HC 32, Box 141, Mt. Judea, Ark. 72655, or Hospice of the Hills, 501 E. Sherman, Harrison, Ark. 72601. His body has donated to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.