William P."Prep"Welch

A lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, William Preston "Prep" Welch died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was 87. He was an alumnus of Baton Rouge High School and LSU, for which he remained a proud and active supporter throughout his life. While at LSU, he joined Sigma Chi fraternity and enjoyed continued membership of that organization until his death. He was a veteran of World War II, proudly serving his country as a member of the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was retired from Guaranty Income Life Insurance Co. in Baton Rouge, where he had worked for 28 years. He was secretary and member of the board of directors of the Guaranty Life Insurance Co. Survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years, Frances Olive Walsh Welch; son, Dr. William Preston Welch Jr. and wife Donna Bryan Welch; daughter, Alice Wynn Welch Fresina and husband Michael Charles Fresina; five grandchildren, William Preston Welch III, Megan Hood Walker, William Taylor Welch, Katherine Frances Fresina and Alice Frances Fresina; two great-grandchildren, Mia Welch and Ethan Walker; brother, Elbert "Bay" Welch; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, William Preston Welch and Lellie Leach Welch; and brothers, John Welch and Jesse Welch. Visitation at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church from 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial in Roselawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be William Preston Welch III, William Taylor Welch, David Walsh, Dr. Douglas Walsh, William Jay Knox Jr. and Lt. Col. Edward Kuhnert. Honorary pallbearers are Patrick Walker, Bret Walsh, Brian Walsh, Dale Walsh, Dean Walsh and Donald Walsh. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Rabenhorst Funeral Home.