Maurice W. Wells, 71, a longtime resident of Steptoe, was called home to Heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 3, 2015 at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 10 in the chapel of Bruning Funeral Home. Rev. Dean Ellis will officiate.

Maurice was born on August 21, 1944 in Pasadena, California to Raymond & Bethel (Denslow) Wells. He grew up in Arcadia, California and graduated from high school there in 1963. He attended Pasadena City College where he studied photography. He took a job after college doing negative touch ups. After a while, Maurice's interest in photography shifted to cooking. He attended culinary school and became a chef. He cooked for many years in the Portland area.

He met Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Lyman and the couple married on November 2, 1973. They made their home in the Vancouver/Longview area while Maurice pursued many career options, including working for a security company, as well as branching out on his own in the field of carpet cleaning. In 1982, Maurice and Betty moved to Colfax when Maurice was hired as a grounds supervisor at WSU. He started a carpet cleaning business on the Palouse that eventually became Squeaky Clean Windows, a business he operated from 1986-1999.

After Pastor Lyman (his father-in-law) passed away, Maurice attended the Moody Bible Institute and became a minister. He ran Rolling Hills Outreach Ministry from his home for several years. Maurice had a very strong faith in the Lord and shared the gospel of Christ's love to all he came in contact with. Maurice enjoyed golfing, fishing and camping and was very involved in following his daughters in their sports endeavors. He was a caring husband, a loving father and a proud grandfather. And while those left on earth will mourn his passing, those who believe in Christ can take comfort in knowing that Maurice is now in Heaven, walking those golden streets with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

Maurice is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Betty Wells, at the family home in Steptoe; his loving daughters Elizabeth Wells-Johnston husband Daniel of Asotin and Christine Brooks husband Edward of Dayton, and four Grandchildren Erica Hutchinson, Casey Brooks, Julia Brooks, and Oliver Brooks. Also his siblings, brothers Richard Wells of San Juan Bautista, California, Timothy Wells of Paradise, California, and Sister Janet Miller of Lebanon, Oregon, .

Memorial contributions in Maurice's honor are suggested to the Shriner's Hospital of Spokane or to the Colfax/Steptoe Volunteer Fire Departments. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the care and support received by all of the firemen and EMT's over the past several years.

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.