William Gaynor Wells Jr.

William G. Wells, Jr., known to friends and colleagues as Bill, passed away peacefully at the age of 102. Remarkably active and with his sharp mind intact until the end, Bill led a life marked by extraordinary achievement, service, and dedication. His extensive career spanned numerous fields, from military service to academia, government, and international consulting.

Bill’s military service began in 1942 when he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. His leadership and courage as flight engineer in B-29 bomber reconnaissance missions over typhoons and Soviet territory earned him respect and recognition. He went on to serve for over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Colonel, where his expertise in electronics, missile systems, and project management left an indelible mark on both military and civilian operations.

A brilliant academic, Bill was a dedicated educator, serving as a Professor at The George Washington University, where he founded and directed the Project Management graduate degree program. He was a part-time professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Senior Adviser to the Chancellor for developing joint academic/research programs with the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. His tenure spanned more than three decades, during which he mentored countless students, influencing their careers in the fields of science, technology, and management. Bill’s education included degrees from several prestigious institutions, including:

• Ripon College (Wisconsin) – where he completed studies in physics, advanced chemistry, and mathematics before World War II.

• University of Chicago – where he earned a B.S. in Meteorology, Physics, and Mathematics.

• Harvard University and MIT – where he completed a joint program in electronic engineering and radar during WWII.

• Purdue University – where he obtained an MBA with a focus on quantitative management.

• The George Washington University – where he completed a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), focusing on the Management of Science and Technology.

Bill started his career in public service when he was elected Mayor of Forestville, MD, while still in the Air Force. He continued in public service after leaving the Air Force, turning down the opportunity for promotion to Brigadier General. He served sequentially with NASA on the Apollo Program, the U.S. House of Representatives Science and Technology Committee, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as Director of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program. Bill also worked closely with U.S. Presidents Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. His work with the Office of Science and Technology Policy as Chief of Staff under H.W. Bush and consulting under Clinton played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. science and technology policy during critical years of advancement. He was particularly involved in international policy, serving as the U.S. House liaison to the United Nations and advising on key global science and technology initiatives.

Bill’s consulting career was extensive, with ongoing clients that included over 30 domestic and foreign organizations, including foreign governments, firms in a variety of industries, and 10 Fortune 500 companies. As an example, Bill won a contract on Team Building through the Department of Defense. Over the course of a year, more than 2,000 service members were trained.

His contributions to science, technology, education, and international relations, along with his professional integrity and commitment to service, have left a lasting legacy. Bill’s remarkable career, and the countless lives he touched through mentorship and teaching, will be remembered by many. Bill never sought a career that could reap him the most income, but rather finding fulfillment in helping others realize their own professional goals.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bill’s personal life was rich with love and meaningful relationships. His time in China, both professionally and personally, with his partner, Dr. Geng Ming, was a highlight of his later years. Although he later admitted fault in failed personal relationships over his lifetime, he always led with his heart—a romantic until the end.

Bill is survived by his son, Michael G. Wells; his daughter, Charilyn W. Cowan, and her son, James H. Cowan III (Kristen), and their children, Cameron J. Cowan, Broderick T. Cowan, and Victoria W. Cowan; his daughter, Roberta W. Orr (Robert), and her son, Gregory P. Wells; his daughter, Larisa Wells (Carl), and their son, Eli J. Wells-Bolyard; and his daughter, Jade A. Wells, and her children, Bradley V. Wells, Curtis L. Wells, and Athena N. Wells.

In his memory, we celebrate a life well-lived—one that demonstrated the power of knowledge, service, and the deep rewards of human connection.