Charles L. Welker

Charles L. “Charlie” Welker, 89, of Victoria, passed away August 5, 2015. A proud husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, veteran and horseman, he was born November 22, 1925 in Honey Grove, Texas to the late Harold Eugene and Laura Belle Durning Welker. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, and later worked for DuPont as an instrument tech and retired after 36 years of service. Known as an avid horseman, Charlie owned his first horse at the age of 5 and began his own line of Skipper W bred Quarter Horses with his beloved “Old Sweetie” in the late 1950’s, a legacy which survives him.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Krenek Welker of Victoria; daughters, Kitty Materanek and husband Roy of Austin, Tina Riggs and husband Jon of Victoria, Lisa Thibodeaux and husband Conrad of Victoria, Sherrie Wolf and husband Ernest of Richmond, Texas; and son, Dr. Bimbo Welker and wife Amy of Marysville, Ohio; sister, Nancy Cusack of Wimberley; brothers, Bob Welker of Brenham and Tommy Welker of Sugar Land. He dearly loved being PawPaw to his 16 grandchildren, Rachel Bennett Magouirk, Cody Bennett, Tami Riggs Sarver, Shawn Riggs, Shane Riggs, Juli Riggs, Kari Riggs, Jeremy Thibodeaux, Chad Thibodeaux, Eric Thibodeaux, Shannan Rittweger, Justin Wolf, Angi Simpkins, Calli Welker, Charlie Welker, and Casey Welker; and his 16 great grandchildren, Konnor, Selah, Tipton, Hudson, Davie, Hayden, Trevor, Ty, Jordan, Jaxon, Jayce, Tenley, Taryn, Conrad, Hunter and Madisyn.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date.

The family desires that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com