Allison Hugo Wells, 96, formerly of De Pere, WI, passed out of his earthly body and into a new life on November 21, 2014, in Ojai, CA. His body wore out, but his spirit never did. He had repeatedly surprised his doctors by rising, like a phoenix, from each of several illnesses. Like so many of his generation who lived through the Great Depression and World War II, he had an indomitable spirit, a zest for living, and an integrity often lacking in the world today. A consummate gentleman, he remained courteous, charming, upbeat, appreciative, and genteel until his last breath. Born April 28, 1918, to Hugo Smith Wells and Elizabeth Mary (Maloney) Wells, Mr. Wells lived most of his life in De Pere, where his family was involved in the grain and feed milling business. During the Depression, Allison, his parents, and his siblings moved in with his widowed grandmother at 807 North Broadway, De Pere, a beautiful riverfront home built by his grandfather, A. G. Wells, and his wife, Addie Belle (Smith) Wells. Addie Belle and her sister, Sarah Elizabeth Smith, who was De Pere's first librarian, were college-educated, cultured women who inspired in young Mr. Wells a love of beauty, music, art, architecture, nature, history, patriotism, philosophy, and education that lasted his whole life. Allson H. Wells was a sensitive and accomplished musician. He played the saxophone and clarinet in the De Pere High School Band and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Band. His mentor, Professor Heinen from Belgium, proudly featured Allison in many of his music programs in Green Bay. Mr. Wells often woke his children in the morning by playing "The Flight of the Bumblebee" or "The Minute Waltz" (in exactly one minute!) on the piano. He could also tell, within 1/10 of a degree, what a person's temperature was simply by placing his hand on their forehead. In his teens, Mr. Wells was an avid camper at YMCA Camp Manito-wish at Boulder Junction, WI, and even well into his 90's could sing all the old camp songs without missing a beat. In 1936 he enjoyed a memorable European tour with a group from the camp. After graduating as salutatorian from De Pere High School in 1936, Mr. Wells attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a member of Iron Cross senior men's honorary society and an active member of Chi Psi Fraternity. In his senior year, he served as President of the Inter-Fraternity Board, which required travel to national conferences that gave him great satisfaction. He loved dancing to Big Band music and presided over the 1940 Inter-Fraternity Ball. An announcer for the University's radio station, he relished producing sound effects, which delighted his children during bedtime stories and amused his friends in later years. Mr. Wells was a born storyteller and historian, with a huge vocabulary, a deep interest in personalities, and a keen memory for details. His great-great-grandfather, Dominicus Jordan, was one of De Pere's first settlers and the first person buried in De Pere's Greenwood Cemetery. Because of his family's long residence in the region, Mr. Wells was often asked to write a history of the Green Bay-De Pere area, which he sadly never did. Allison H. Wells lived a life of duty, honor, and courage. After graduating from UW-Madison in 1940 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics, he enrolled in the U.S. Navy Officer's Training School and became a Lieutenant j.g. in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served as a supply officer aboard the U.S.S. Reuben James during World War II and traveled throughout the North Atlantic and Mediterranean. Following his honorable discharge, Mr. Wells returned to De Pere, where he was a salesman for the A. G. Wells Company, of which he later became President. He was a respected member of the Green Bay-De Pere business community and a member of Rotary Club International. After closing the family business in the 1970s, he continued selling for various companies and enjoyed traveling throughout northeastern Wisconsin, reveling in the beauty of the landscape, sampling pies in small cafes, and sharing his stories with all who were interested. On June 21, 1947, Mr. Wells married his college sweetheart, Clarissa Elwell Kerr, at Trinity Congregational Church in Gloucester, MA. After a honeymoon in the Poconos, they moved into their home in De Pere, where they lived until she preceded him in death on March 26, 1986, and where he lived until he moved to California in February 2010. Allison moved to Ojai for his health and to be cared for by his daughter, Becky. He lived with Becky, her husband Karl, and their cats for almost five happy years until his passing. His years in California were truly golden. He visited many sights of cultural and historical significance, including Hearst Castle, Reagan Library and Museum, Descanso Gardens, Mullin Automotive Museum, and more. He made many friends. Even in his 90's, his charming nature and movie star good looks would invariably cause women of all ages to exclaim, "Oh, isn't he cute!?!" He loved nature and took delight in every subtle sensual nuance, from the caress of the breeze on his cheek, to the feel of the cat's fur under his fingers. He enjoyed taking scenic drives, dining out, going to concerts and museums, singing, watching Lawrence Welk videos, breathing the ocean air, and sharing stories of his long and interesting life. Mr. Wells set the bar high and modeled living and dying with dignity and grace. He had fun but made his health a high priority and believed in "moderation in all things." He would not be pressured or rushed. He thought long and deeply before making any decision, and could be extremely determined when he made up his mind. He was fastidious about his grooming and his precious Lincoln Town Car. Mr. Wells was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 39 years, Clarissa Elwell (Kerr) Wells; his sister, Carolyn Elizabeth (Wells) Breckinridge; and his brother, Donald Glenn Wells. He is survived by his sister, Marilyn June (Wells) Miracle, of Everett, WA; his daughter, Paula Marie Wells, of Milwaukee, WI; his daughter, Rebecca Wells Windinwood, and son-in-law, Karl Klister Windinwood of Ojai, CA; his son, Allison George Wells II, of De Pere, WI, ten grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of Mr. Wells's life will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, December 16, at First United Presbyterian Church, 605 N. Webster Avenue, De Pere. The family will receive visitors before the service from 9AM to 11AM and will host a luncheon in the church hall immediately following the service. Burial will be at 3PM in Greenwood Cemetery in De Pere. In lieu of flowers, it was Mr. Wells's wish that a memorial fund be established to aid the National Organization of Chi Psi Fraternity. Donations may be sent to: The Chi Psi Educational Trust, 45 Rutledge Street, Nashville, TN 37210 The family wishes to express their gratitude to all the many doctors, nurses, caregivers, and friends in Wisconsin and California whose support enabled Mr. Wells to enjoy an excellent quality, as well as quantity, of life.