Stephen Lee Wells, 53, of Astoria, died Thursday, March 30, 2006 in Astoria.

Mr. Wells was born May 25, 1952 in Lebanon to Billy and Shirley Wells. His father died earlier. His mother, Shirley Wells Niemi survives, residing in Astoria.

Mr. Wells moved with his family to the Clatsop County area where he remained until 1970. He spent most of his adult life in the service: four years in the U.S. Navy, two years in the U.S. Air National Guard and 10 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. While assigned to the ship USS Ticonderoga, he was involved in the retrievals of the spaceship Apollo and Skylab from the ocean.

He married Helen Wells in 1975 in Hanford, Calif. They later divorced. She survives, residing in Hanford.

Mr. Wells received an associate degree in criminal justice, worked at the Avenal State Prison for six years and volunteered at the Juvenile Detention Center working with troubled teenagers. He was also a volunteer fireman in Hanford.

Mr. Wells was a member of the American Legion and St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a son, Stephen Lee Wells II of Hanford; a daughter, Kristen Parrez of Pasadena, Calif.; four brothers, Mike and John Wells of Astoria, Bill Wells of Westport and Joe Wells of Portland; two sisters, Ginna Babcock of Austria and Liisa Niemi of Astoria; two nephews, Chad Wells of Westport and Hunter Telen of Astoria; a niece, Haili Wirkkula of Astoria; two aunts, Kathy Lavis and Clovia Erickson of Astoria; an uncle, Jim Wells of Astoria; a stepfather, Jerry Niemi of Hammond; and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Tom Wells.

There will be a Celebration of Life service held at 2 p.m. May 13 at the Astoria Moose Lodge, 420 17th St.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of arrangements.