Byron C. Wells

Byron C. Wells, 71, of Memphis, Tennessee, formerly of Fairland, passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at his residence. He was born September 28, 1942, in Bogalusa, Louisiana, the son of James Carroll and Adele (Humphrey) Wells. Survivors include daughters, Roxanne (husband, Jeff) Lemmon of Elkhart and Jodie Wells Moore of Shelbyville; mother of his children, Jane (companion, Mike Alley) Wells of Fairland; brother, Hollis Willard (wife, Dot) Wells of Plano, Texas; sister, Jacqueline Gray of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Ryan Wells, Sasha (companion, Chris Grant) Lindwedel, Miranda Lindwedel, Kyndra Phelps and Brady Moore; great-grandchildren, Madison Wells, Mallory Wells, Jordyn Grant and Esme’-Rosalie Phelps; special friends and assistants, Deb Crawford and Nancy Moore, both of Memphis, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Carolyn Wells; nephew, Tommy Wells; and great-nephew, Scott Guffey. Byron graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, in 1960; Indiana University in 1971; received his law degree in 1977 from Indiana University, Indiana Law School in Indianapolis; and American Academy of Judicial Education in Washington, D.C. in 1978. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1960 to 1963, during the Korean Conflict. Byron began working as a reporter for the Indianapolis Star, after receiving his degrees he was a lawyer and Judge in Shelby County. Later he moved to Memphis and ran a home-based printing business. He was a former member of New Life United Methodist Church, Community Service Council of Metropolitan Indianapolis, Inc., Human Services, Inc., Shelby Arts Council, Shelby County Association for Retarded Citizens, Noon SERTOMA Club, Bears of Blue River Festival Committee, Babe Ruth Bambino World Series for 1984 Committee, Shelbyville Lions Club, Fraternal Order of Police and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Byron was also a former member of Shelby County Jaycees, where he won the annual Service to Mankind Award in 1983. He also won the National Award for chairing a fund raiser for a young girl suffering from a rare blood disorder. He was the founder and first president of Helping Our Own People, Inc., an organization established to provide emergency food and clothing within northwestern Shelby County. Byron also leaves behind his dog, Brat II. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Bennett Cemetery in Shelby County, with military graveside rites conducted by the local military committee. Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Association of Shelby County, P.O. Box 844, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176; American Diabetes Association, 6415 Castleway West Drive, Suite 114, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250; or American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana 46278.