William Paden Wells

OAKLEY – Cowboy William roped a wild steer to heaven, doing what he loved best, cruizin’ the mountains of Oakley, rockin’ out with his buddies, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

William was born January 9, 1997, in Burley, Idaho, to Lenard M. Wells and Tiffany Dawn Smith Wells. He grew up in Oakley and graduated from Oakley High School in 2015. He was a member of the LDS Church and graduated from seminary. William was a phenomenal wrestler, placing two times at state wrestling and was a three-time district champion. He was also good at rodeo and he loved to team rope. He enjoyed hunting, shooting guns, fishing, leather work, roping, and simply hanging out with his friends and family.

God put Willy on this earth to be a cowboy. You could tell when he was on a horse that this was his passion for life. When William walked into a room with his crooked smile, he brought joy to everyone in it. Anyone who knew William knows all he needed in life was a horse, a gun, a rope, a bedroll and his family to be at peace; for he was a “Simple Kind of Man.”

He is survived by his parents; his brother, Riley Mitchell; sisters, Chelsea Wells, Kelsey Wells and Charly Wells; grandparents, Tomas K. & Carrie Ann Smith, Rodney & Debra Hammond, and Edith Wells; great-grandmothers, Dolores Kelsey, and Cherry Mae Smith; many aunts, uncles and cousins who all loved him dearly; along with little KaiLee Smith, whom he considered a niece.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, S. N. & Buehla Smith, Robert J. Kelsey, and William H. Wells; and his great-aunt, Denise Kelsey.

The family would like to thank all those who have shown their support through kind gestures, thoughts and prayers in their behalf.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Oakley High School old gymnasium, 455 W. Main St., with Bishop Kevin Morrison officiating.

Friends and family may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., Burley, and at the high school one hour prior to the service.