Willard Wayne Welch

Willard was born on May 23,1933, in Norton, Kansas, to Bernard and Katherine (Huff) Welch. He spent his childhood in Norton and graduated from high school there. He moved to Denver, Colorado and attended Central Business College where he earned an associate’s degree in business. In 1953, Willard joined the US Marine Corps and proudly served until his honorable discharge in 1956. He married Linda Sue Seibert on July 22, 1957, producing six children. He later married Anna Pearl Nielsen on November 23, 1979, having one more daughter. Throughout his life he worked as an oil rig worker and finally as a railroad crew caller. He retired in 1996 after working for Burlington Northern Sante Fe for 25 years. He traveled the country with Anna until they set roots in Fairhope, Alabama, until Anna passed away in 2003. He then moved to Rifle, Colorado and finally settled down in Mack, Colorado. He held a deep Christian faith, and his greatest joys in life were bowling, golfing, fishing, camping, and woodworking, and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Willard is survived by his son, Russell (Shaun) Welch; daughters, Stephanie (Walter) Koanui, Felicia (Sam) Leonardi, and Candace Welch; brothers, Rexford Welch, Gaylen Welch, Curtis Welch, and Arlen Welch; sister, Marlene (Joe) Cooper; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Linda and Anna; brothers, Leslie and Jerome; daughters, Brinda Gonzalez and Tracy Peterson; son, James Welch; and his partner, Eileen.

Services will be held in Denver at a later date.