Clarence Ray “C.R.” Wells, 79, of Sweet Home passed away Wednesday. He was born in Dallas, Texas to Marion Oliver and Ada Clausine (McIntyre) Wells.

He graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in Dallas, Texas. Right out of high school, Clarence enlisted in the United States Navy in May of 1949. He served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Clarence was a Senior Chief Petty Officer and served for over 20 years. He was Honorably Discharged in Millington, Tennessee in March 1971.

During his military service, Clarence married Betty Woten on September 8, 1953 in Seattle, Washington. They were married 20 years. Betty passed away in 2000. He married Dorothy Mae Carter on November 25, 1987 in Dallas, Texas.

After his military service, Clarence opened his own drivers training school that he ran several years. He became a bus driver for Dallas Transit, D.A.R.T. and worked there for ten years before he retired in 1991.

Clarence was a member of Church Of Christ and the American Legion in Lebanon.

He enjoyed working in his yard, fishing, and photography. Clarence played guitar in his own band in Dallas, Texas named “High Noon.” He loved singing and recording and performing, mostly country western music at county fairs for over 15 years.

Clarence is survived by: his wife, Dorothy Wells of Sweet Home; son, Rick Wells of the Phillipines; daughters, Jill Wells of Fairfield, California and Julie Campbell of Austin, Nevada; step daughters, Vickie Wolverton of Salem and Diana Morris of Mehama, Oregon; stepson, Jerold Wolverton of Portland; brother, Richard Wells of Dallas, Texas; sister, Marian Stilwell of Texas; grandchildren, Yessenia, Karisa, Jeneyce and Mason Wells, Ryan Staggs, Zane Cotterell, Ian, Zac and Troy Campbell; and great grandson, Kylan Cotterell.

We will miss you and you will sing in our hearts forever.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 5, 2011 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Private interment will follow at Gilliland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of C.R. Wells for Pancreatic Cancer Research to OHSU Cancer Institute Research Department, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3098 or California Pacific Medical Center Foundation, 2015 Steiner Street, San Francisco, California 94115.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.