West Hartford, VT-Edwin Ray Wells, Jr., 87, died Sunday September 30, 2018 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH surrounded by his family.

Edwin was born May 23, 1931 in West Woodstock, VT a son of Edwin "Ray" and Dorothy (Townsend) Wells. He grew up in West Woodstock and attended the Woodstock Schools. He went to work at an early age logging and doing other jobs. He married

Marjorie Neil March 25, 1951 and they made their home in West Hartford, VT. In 1952, He went to work for C.E Kelton Trans. in White River Jct. hauling milk, liquor, mail, bread and various other freight. He was proud to be the first bulk milk tank truck driver in the State of Vermont. He flew out to Michigan for Kelton's and drove the first Bulk Milk Tank truck from the factory back to Vermont He was a friend to many farmers that all greeted him by name. He was always in demand for his knowledge of farm equipment repair and was the shop foreman in the IH Shop at Kelton Motors from the 1960's to his retirement. He worked at Kelton's for 36 years from 1952 to 1988. After retiring from Kelton's in 1988, he logged with his brother Carol for several more years. After Marjorie's death, he married Elizabeth (Neil) Carboneau in 1984.

He was a life member of the Harford Elks, and a Trustee of the West Hartford Congregational Church. He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, working in his garden and growing the biggest and best tomato's, playing horse shoes, and family reunions. But his greatest joy came from the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. For many years, he and Betty spent winters at their home in Port Charlotte, Florida

Edwin is predeceased by his parents, a son Rodney Wells, a daughter-in-law Leslie Kelton Wells; and a brother Kenneth "Pete" Wells.

He is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Wells of West Hartford; two sons, Timothy Wells of Westminster, VT and Gary Wells and his Wife Colleen of West Lebanon, NH; Two daughters, Lynda Hart and her husband Randy and Cheryl Gilbert and her husband Stephen both of West Hartford; a daughter in-law Beverly Wells of Rockingham, VT; a stepson Clark Carboneau his wife Diane of Santa Fe, NM. Three step daughters Cindy Schmidt and her husband Rick of Indianapolis, IN, Cheryl Carboneau and her husband William Brown of Windsor, VT and Sharon Chandler of Rutland, VT; seventeen grandchildren; twenty seven great-grandchildren; four sisters Joan "Joy" Soule and husband Bill of White River Junction, Eleanor Van Alstyne of Chester, VT, Sandra Heavisides of Claremont, NH and Janice "Jan" Luce and husband Jim of Palmer, AK; two brothers Carol Wells and wife Barbara of Windsor VT and Daniel "Dan" Wells and wife Robin of Cambridgeport, VT.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 6 at 3pm at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction followed by burial in the West Hartford Cemetery in West Hartford after which there will be a celebration at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church next to the funeral home. Condolences may be made to Edwin's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation at cholangiocarcinoma.org or sent to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 5526 W 13400 South #510, Herriman, UT 84096 identifying it as in memory of Edwin R. Wells, Jr. and his son Rodney J. Wells.