Albert Nelson Wells

Albert Nelson Wells, 88, died December 23, 2025 in Henderson County where he resided for many years. Al was born to Roy and Adeline Ray Wells in Frankfort, Kentucky on December 15, 1937. The family moved to Columbia, South Carolina where Al Grew up. He was blessed to be married to the love of his life, Mary Peach Wells of Columbia, South Carolina, for 66 years.

Al graduated from Eau Claire High School, where he played trumpet in the marching band. He attended the University of South Carolina while serving in the South Carolina Air National Guard. He was activated to The United States Air Force and was stationed in Europe in the early 1960s during the Berlin Crisis.

He and his father were partners in the Superior Upholstery Company, Columbia, South Carolina, for many years. Al loved planes and flying and completed his solo flight after flying lessons in the early 1960s. Al went on to work for Piedmont Airlines and was transferred to Asheville, North Carolina and continued in the airline business with USAIR. Although he was sad to leave his beloved South Carolina, he and Mary settled into life in North Carolina with their children. After retiring from the airlines Al enjoyed working for the Office of the District Attorney for Buncombe County part time for several years.

Al was a loyal South Carolina Gamecocks fan, and had season football tickets for several years. He loved dogs and supported his entire family’s love of dogs. He was the ultimate family man, dedicating his love, time and attention to his beloved wife Mary and his four children, their spouses and his three grandsons, and all of the family dogs.

Al was preceded in death by his son Mark Alan Wells, parents Roy and Adeline Wells, and his sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Ray McFadden and Bobby McFadden and brother-in-law Don Morris. Al is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Peach Wells, his sons David Wells and Stephen Wells, his daughter Deborah Wells Howell, son-in-law James Howell, daughters-in-law Kate Dreher Wells and Carrie Lewis, his three grandsons, Elliott Nelson Wells, Oliver Lewis Wells and Ezra Vaughn Wells, sister-in-law Betty Morris, his nephews Michael McFadden and Keith Morris and niece Sharon Morris Barrs as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Burial with military honors will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.