Irvin William "Bill" Wells, 84, of Superior, died Monday, January 14, 2013 at Essentia-St. Mary's Hospital in Superior.

Bill was born on Dec. 15, 1928 the son of Alethea and Day Wells.

He served his country during WWII in the Army 11th Airborne Division as a paratrooper.

Bill had worked as a driver salesman for Mathews Distributing Company from 1968-1971.He then worked as an outside salesman for Northwest Beverage from 1971 to 1973 and then became sales manager and supervisor covering 18 northwestern Wisconsin counties until 1981. He then worked for Lee Beverage Company in Eau Claire Wis., as a direct supervisor of outside sales people from 1981 to 1985. He was then Bar Manager at Classic Bar in Superior from 1985 to 1988.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working on cars and collecting coins. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and also enjoyed watching his grandson Willie play football.

He was preceded in death by his parents; lifelong friend, Shirley Wells; brothers, Day and Jim Wells; sisters, Roberta Swenda, Jeanette Griffin, and Florence; and his beloved dog, Bubba.

Bill is survived by his children, Michael Wells of Spooner, Cathleen Wells of Superior, Douglas Wells of Superior and Thomas Wells of Danbury; grandchildren, Eric and Heather Wells, Ryan Nelson, Hannah Wells and William Wells; great-grandchildren, Logan Nelson and Caleb Wells; brothers, Dick and Marvin Wells; sisters, Marie Kathryn Barton, Margie Stromberg, Sandy Wells and Karen Wells; and a longtime friend who looked up to him like a father, Douglas Hammer.

His memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home, corner of 19th and Ogden. Rev. Mark A. Holmes will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery Soldiers' Memorial Park where Military rites will be accorded.

Honorary pallbearers will be Eric and Willie Wells, Ryan Nelson, Ralph "Frog" Atkinson, Doug and Chad Hammer and Ron Aho.