Angela Marie Welch

Angela was born on September 5, 1946 in Columbia, South Carolina. Her childhood was filled with challenges, but this served to make her one of the strongest people we have ever known. Angela attended the University of South Carolina for two years and left to marry William "Bill" Cleland.

Shortly thereafter, Bill's career in the US Air Force led Angela, and newborn son Preston “Cubby” Cleland, on many adventures, starting with assignments in High Wycombe, England and Wiesbaden, Germany. US based assignments followed in Petersburg, Virginia; Warner Robins, Georgia; and Montgomery, Alabama. After those whirlwind assignments, the family landed for a comparatively lengthy three years in Tallahassee, Florida where Bill attended graduate school. Tallahassee is where Angela’s interest in politics and public service blossomed, resulting in a position with the Republican Party of Florida. She remained a Republican throughout her life, but she purposely and proudly used Ruth Bader Ginsberg stamps for the past few years, reminding us that people are more complex than today’s “easy button,” artificial labels might suggest.

The next assignment took Angela and family to Richmond, Virginia, and Bill’s final assignment at Langley Air Force base took her to Yorktown, Virginia in a region she called home for the remaining 42+ years of her life. As sometimes happens, Angela and Bill grew apart and divorced. An unwavering constant, however, was Angela’s apparent affinity for short guys named “Bill.” In 1997, Angela married the love of her life, William “Bill” Welch. After six years of riverfront living in Poquoson, Virginia, 2003’s Hurricane Isabel was enough to scare them a bit more inland to Williamsburg, Virginia.

After serving as a Congressional Staffer in the District Offices of various members of the US House of Representatives, Angela retired in 2006. She and Bill (version 2.0) loved to travel and made the most of their retirement years doing so. The two of them set foot on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Angela loved the ocean, cooking, and laughing. She was an active member of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Williamsburg.

The last few years have not been easy on Angela. She experienced intermittent health issues, and she cared for Bill in his last months until he passed away in June, 2024. But there were many happy moments along the way. She had what we believe to be her best night in years at the wedding of her oldest granddaughter. Young men a third her age asked her to dance, and she happily obliged. She enjoyed memorable Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations in 2024 before her condition turned more serious in early 2025. We are thankful for the joy those occasions brought to Angela and all of us.

Angela was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Welch; her parents, John and Marion Higgins; her uncle and aunt who raised her (Jack and Guy McGuinn); several other aunts and uncles (she was particularly close to Bill and Theresa Hicks); and a number of in-laws and other loved ones. Angela is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Cubby and Melody Cleland of Apex, NC; granddaughters, Casey Cleland-Cox (Adam Cox) of Raleigh, NC and Harper Cleland of Los Angeles, CA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joel and Abby Cleland of Greenwood, SC; and many beloved nieces and nephews thanks to both Bills.

At Angela’s request, she will be cremated and interred at the King of Glory Lutheran church with her husband in a private service in March.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Williamsburg Area Faith in Action Williamsburg (https://wfia.org) or a charity of your choosing. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.