James Willis Wellman

Jim was born October 17, 1938 in Toledo, Ohio, to the late Virginia Barlett Stafford and David Embert Wellman.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother. Virginia Stafford; father, Embert Wellman; stepfather. DeLeon Stafford; brother, Jerry Wellman; and stepsister, Kathy Farman.

Jim is survived by his wife, Georgia Wellman; son, James Andrew Wellman; son, John Weston Wellman; granddaughter, Channing Wellman,; brother, Thomas Wellman; and sister, Dawn Wellman.

Jim graduated from Jamestown High School with the class of June 1957. He entered the U. S. Army in 1957, and was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Jim was then transferred to the Aberdeen, Ky. Proving Grounds. This was followed by a transfer to Fort Riley, Kan., to be in a special honor guard, “The Vanguards.” The Vanguards traveled all around the country representing the armed forces. He did this assignment until his discharge from the military.

Jim then attended Jamestown Community College, graduating on June 12, 1962 with honors. While at the community college he was a member of the JCC Phalanx Society which is a society that consists of students who have contributed to social development at Jamestown Community College while maintaining an above average scholastic rating.

Jim and Georgia (Rosenborg) Wellman were married on Feb. 12, 1963. They moved to Dearborn, Mich., where they resided. Jim worked for the accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney as a CPA while also attending the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. He received his BBA and MBA in 1965 and 1968. Post graduate work was done at St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, N.Y., in 1981. CPA certification was completed in 1966 in Michigan, and 1969 in New York.

Jim’s and Georgia’s son James Andrew Wellman was born in 1966 in Detroit, Mich., and son John Weston Wellman was born in 1969 in Jamestown, N.Y. The families’ residences, included Dearborn, Mich., Shadyside Road, Jamestown, Yolande Avenue, West Ellicott, Sanibel, Fl.a and Fort Myers, Fl.a.

Jim was employed as follows, Ernst & Whinney, Detroit Michigan 1963-70. During which time he was an audit senior for three years and tax supervisor for four years.

A family decision was made to leave the Detroit area and resettle in the Western New York area. Jim accepted a position in the certified public accounting firm of Halsted & Corry located in Jamestown, N.Y. He then established his own certified public accounting practice, after his association with Halsted & Corry. He continued his practice until his passing.

Jim also began a teaching career at Jamestown Community College. His teaching career at Jamestown Community College led him to serving in many capacities, leading Jim to becoming a professor in accounting. Jim was also the athletic director for Jamestown Community College for the duration of three years. As a professor, Jim was granted a sabbatical leave from Jamestown Community College and through contacts with his previous firm of Ernst & Whinney, Jim was assigned to the continental office Ernst & Whinney in Brussels, Belgium (May- December) 1980-83. Jim traveled throughout Europe with his young family while writing external firm publications.

Jim was honored with the Jamestown Community College Faculty Award for Excellence in 1984.

Jim retired from the Jamestown Community College in the year 2000 and moved to Sanibel Island, Fla., where he continued his private accounting practice.

Jim’s professional affiliations were the American Institute of Public Accountants, the New York State Society of Association of Certified Public Accounts and member of the Faculty Bar of New York State Society of Certified Public Accounts. Jim was also on the board of birectors for the Jamestown Community College Foundation until his death.

Jim’s community affiliations are as follows president of Board of Jamestown Nurses Association, late 1970s to early 1980s. The board of directors of Jamestown Civic Ballet Association, 1980s, the Agency Relation’s Committee and Gifts Solicitor for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua, 1980s, board member and treasurer of the Sanibel Moorings Condominium Association Inc., 1978- 2018.

Jim, in addition to the above was a truly loved and devoted father and husband. He loved life and lived it well. He loved to go fishing, watch sports in person and on television, all sports, but especially the Buffalo Bills. He loved to travel and ate breakfast at his favorite restaurants every morning, sometimes joined by his sons. He read his books and newspaper daily. Jim will be missed so very much by his family and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Lind’s Funeral Home INC. Visitations will be held Friday, Aug. 31, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at Lind’s Funeral Home, 805 W. Third St., Jamestown, N.Y. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept., 1, at 11 a.m. at the Lind Funeral Home. Burial will take place at the Pine Hill Cemetery, Falconer, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jamestown Community College Foundation, or to the Hospice of Fort Myers. You can make a gift online to the Fort Myers Hospice by credit card to “Donate.HopeHCS.org or mail your check with specific instructions to administrative office at Development Department , 9770 Health Park, Fort Myers, FL 33908

You may leave words of condolence to Jim’s family at www.lindfuneralhome. com.