Hendricks (Henry) Worth Wells

Hendricks (Henry) Worth Wells, of Rockledge, FL, died in the hospital surrounded by his family on October 22, 2018. He was 92 years young. Henry is survived by his wife, Martha, his son, Pat Wells (Lisa Durham) of Merritt Island, FL, and daughter, Shirley (Scott) Funk of Plant City, FL; her two children Jennie (Michael) Mealor and Emily; and her two grandchildren Evelyn Grace and Addie Helen Mealor. He is preceded in death by his grandson, Bryan (Elizabeth) Funk. Henry was born on April 16, 1926, in Teachey, NC, to Rupert and Margaret Wells. A child of the Depression, Henry and his six siblings (John, Sally, Rupert, Norman, Carol and George) moved from Eastern North Carolina to Brooklyn, NY, to find work before returning to their North Carolina roots. During World War II, Henry enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday. After his initial training he joined the crew of Landing Ship Tank (LST) 271 in Oakland, CA, before sailing to the Pacific Theater of Operations. During the Pacific Campaign, Henry and the crew of LST 271 participated in three landings before the end of hostilities. On May 3, 1946, Henry was honorably discharged from the Navy at the rank of Seaman 1st Class. He briefly returned to North Carolina before moving to Myrtle Beach, SC, where he worked as a beach lifeguard. He married Martha on August 13th, 1950, in Greensboro, NC. Henry got his start as an independent businessman by joining the family furniture business in Eastern North Carolina in 1952. In 1957, Henry and Martha moved to Cocoa, FL, where he opened Wells Wayside Furniture and created the legacy that survives him today. What people will remember most about Henry is how he lived his life. Henry lived each day to its fullest and was a loving husband and father, a beloved friend and an avid sportsman. During his lifetime he owned sports cars and airboats, loved his University of Florida Gators, was an accomplished golfer, hunter, skeet shooter, a keen fly tyer, and of course, fish trembled at the mere mention of his name. His family and friends all have their favorite “Henry” story and he will live in our hearts forever. He will also be remembered for his quick wit, being quick to befriend, and as a quick study to anything that didn’t involve technology. Henry was the last of the seven Wells children to pass away and joins his parents, sisters and brothers, and cherished grandson in Heaven. All are welcome to attend his celebration of life scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 3rd, at Cocoa Presbyterian Church on Dixon Boulevard in Cocoa, FL. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his memory to either the Central Brevard Sharing Center, 113 Aurora Street, Cocoa, FL, or to Cocoa Presbyterian Church. Henry will be interred in the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Mims, FL, in a private ceremony