Entered into eternal rest on the afternoon of Saturday, December 10, 2011, CPO James Wiley Wellons, USN (Ret.), widower of Rachael Kinard Wellons. Residence, Charleston, South Carolina. The relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral services in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Pkwy., Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at 10 am. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at Stuhr's West Ashley Chapel Tuesday between 5 and 7 pm.

James was born September 2, 1923 in Princeton, North Carolina, a son of the late Wiley Thomas Wellons and the late Montie Baker Wellons. He served in the U.S. Navy in 1940 until 1983, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He also retired from WestVaco. James was a member of Pinecrest Baptist Church. He served as a deacon in Windsor Baptist Church, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Northbridge Baptist Church and Rutledge Baptist Church. He was a Past Worshipful Master of Dorchester Lodge #369, A.F.M; Past Worthy Patron of Loyalty Chapter #136, O.E.S. for nine terms; Past Rainbow Dad for Dorchester-Waylan Rainbow Girls Assembly and a recipient of the Gold Cross of Colors for Rainbow Girls.

He is survived by two sons, Wiley Eugene Wellons of Ravenel and Ernest Walter Wellons of Charleston; four brothers, Nelson Wellons, Sr. and Bob Wellons, both of Orlando, FL, Gerald Wellons and Dwight Wellons, both of Princeton, NC; and a granddaughter, Melodye Suzanne Berry of Charleston. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Suzanne Wellons Berry.

Memorials may be made to Pinecrest Baptist Church, 1285 Ashley Hall Road, Charleston, SC 29407.