Wells Arthur McInelly was born to Arthur Ernest McInelly and Twila Mary Moosman on September 24, 1931 in Escalante, Utah. He graduated from Escalante High School in 1949 and worked one year to help provide for his father's large family. Wells then served a 2-year mission for the LDS Church in Northern California from 1951 to 1953.

Wells was married in 1953 to Emma Lou Cowles and then was drafted into the military, serving from 1953 to 1956. He went to Officer's Candidate School and was commissioned 2 ^nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers.  Wells got orders for Korea and served with SCARWAF (Special Category Army Released for duty With the Air Force) for 1 year.

When released from the army, Wells worked for a year and then attended Utah State University in Logan Utah and obtained his BS in psychology and physiology in 1960. Wells then taught and counseled students for 4 years.

Wells attended the University of Wyoming 1965 and 1966, receiving a Master's Degree and a PHD. He moved his family to Ellensburg, Washington to work at the Central Washington State College (later changed to Central Washington University). He was a counseling psychologist, taught classes, and became the Director of the Counseling Center in 1968.

In 1996 Wells suffered a massive heart attack but lived many years beyond that, which was a blessing to his family.

Wells served in the LDS Church in many church positions, including 3 bishoprics, as a High Councilman, and as an Ordinance Worker for 9 years at the Seattle Temple and 1 year at the Columbia River Temple.

Wells is survived by: his wife Emma Lou; 5 children, Galan (Jacquie), Diana, Nolan (Jiahui), Daryl, and Chris (Debby); 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

There will be two memorials, the first Memorial Service will be held in the Camano/Stanwood Ward Chapel, 795 ELL Rd Camano Island, WA 98282, at 11am on June 16, 2018.

The second Memorial Service will be held in Escalante, Utah, where most of his family members will attend, on July 20 2018; Interment will be July 23, 2018 at the Escalante Cemetery.