April 19, 1926 — December 1, 2016
Wells Dean Starley, 90 years old, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 1, 2016, at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah. He was born on April 19, 1926, in Fillmore, Utah, and was the second child of Wells Payne Starley and Olive Critchley Starley.
On Feb. 17, 1947, Wells married Jeanne Margaret Luken in Salt Lake City and they were happily married for 65 years.
Wells grew up in Fillmore, Utah, and was known by his middle name, Dean. He lived a typical life in the small farming community. As a young man, he enjoyed hunting, especially ducks and geese. In his senior year at Millard High, Dean had the opportunity to travel to Salt Lake City with his Grandpa Critchley to do masonry work and it was then that he decided to join the Navy. He was stationed at Treasure Island in San Francisco where he met his future wife, Jeanne, who was also in the Navy. Both were discharged with Honors in 1946. Wells attended the University of Utah where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.
He fathered nine beautiful children and had a successful career as the head of the Welding Division at Industrial Supply Company in Salt Lake City. After his retirement, he and Jeanne relocated to St. George, Utah. Throughout his adult life, he loved boating, camping, fishing, hunting and aviation. He was also a talented artisan with the ability to design and create furniture and carvings from wood, metal, leather and paint.
Wells is survived by his nine children: Susan (Richard) Neish-St. George, Utah; Mark (Barbara) Starley-Gilbert, Arizona; Rich Starley-Long Beach, California; Margaret (William Lough) Starley-Tustin, California; Thomas (Mary Ann Allen) Starley-Klamath Falls, Oregon; Scott (Mindy) Starley-Salt Lake City, Utah; Bob (Kate) Starley-Santa Clara, Utah; Marie Starley-Palo Alto, California; Maureen (Brett) Cox-Mountain Green, Utah; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Wells is preceded in death by his wife ,Jeanne, and his two brothers, Bill and James Ross Starley.
Funeral services
- Memorial services will be held Dec. 17, 2016, at the Saint George Catholic Church, 259 W. 200 North in St. George, Utah, at 11 a.m.
- Interment will be at Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 S. Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.
Special thanks to the staff at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins and Zions Way, also to his daughters: Susan, Maureen and his son, Bob, for their devotion to both Wells and Jeanne in the last years of their life. Wells was a loving husband, father, brother, son, uncle and friend. He will be missed and always remembered with love.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit our website www.metcalfmortuary.com.