Wilma 'Billy' M. Wells

Wilma Mae Wells burst the surly bonds of earth to join her Heavenly Father on March 22, 2017. Known as "Billie" among her friends and family, she was born to Everett and Lillian Sheffer in Santa Cruz, California on July 17, 1937. Billie enjoyed doing ceramics, sewing, antiques, catch-and-release yard sales, caring for her children, Richie, Gloria, Mindy and Ehren; and of course cooking her many savory soups, stews, and ethnic delights that made her famous and fed her loved ones. Each special creation was laced with her love. While living in California, Billie worked as a secretary stenographer; her stellar skills landed her in the Directors Office at the University of California Radiation Laboratory, where she was granted the highest civilian security "Q" clearance; required because she worked with the AEC Prime Contract. When Billie and her family moved to Montana, it took little time for her to be recognized for those secretarial skills and she became the first secretary in the newly established Sanders County Mental Health Clinic; a position she held for 8 years. Billie was well known as one of the most productive people throughout Montana mental-health circles. Billie and her husband of 52 years, Dick, operated Lonesome Dove Fine Food restaurant on Main St. in Thompson Falls. Her cooking skills garnered a lengthy list of regulars from all over the nation, people who would come in and announce: "We read about you in our hometown newspaper!" Lonesome Dove was featured in Montana Magazine, Triple A tour guide and twice on the front page of the Missoulian. Her parents and son, Richard Daniel Gonzalez, preceded her in death. Survivors include her husband Dick, daughters Gloria (Gonzalez) Martinez and Mindy Wilson, son, Ehren Wells, Her grandchildren, Rachael Turner, Jacqueline Russell, Jon Delmark, Chalis Wilson, Shasta Wilson, and seven great-grandchildren, Christina, Anabelle, Gavin, Bella, Aurora, Jackson and Gabby, and her brother, Ron Sheffer. We will all miss her dearly. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

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