Milton Clarkson Wells Jr., 82, of Festus died Dec. 7, 2024, at his home.

Mr. Wells was a U.S. Army veteran and served during the Berlin Crisis. He was a member of the Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, with more than 80 parachute jumps.

He received his master's with honors in mechanical engineering from the University of Arkansas.

He retired as a mechanical engineer from Anheuser-Busch Brewery. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Festus. He was a licensed pilot, an aviation enthusiast and a ham radio operator and weather spotter for the U.S. Weather Bureau. He also tracked the migration and feeding of hummingbirds. He loved photography, sail boating, car racing, spending time with family and keeping up with the activities of his grandchildren.

Born Nov. 29, 1942, in Little Rock, Ark., he was the son of the late Letha (Whatley) and Milton Clarkson Wells Sr.

He is survived by his wife: Anna Corinne (Roberts) Wells; two sons: Geoffrey Dylan Wells of Sebastopol, Calif., and Peter John (Emily) Wells of St. Charles; two daughters: Hope Corinne (Jeff) Smatsky of Tampa, Fla., and Courtney Milann (Mike) Turney of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; six grandchildren: Sky Smatsky, Keagan Turney, Corbin Turney, Melody Littrell, Ewan Wells and Ivy Wells; and a great-granddaughter: Harmony Littrell.

A memorial gathering is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by the Rev. Jeff Carr, retired United Methodist Church minister. Burial will be in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.