William Welch

After a brief illness, William “Bill” Welch passed away at the age of 85 on Monday, June 17, 2024 in Williamsburg, Virginia with his wife, Angela Welch, at his side. Bill was born on December 23, 1938 in Teaneck, New Jersey and grew up in Westbury, New York. Bill graduated from Colgate University with a degree in English. After college, Bill served in the United States Army Special Forces 82nd Airborne Division. Bill pursued a diverse career which ultimately led him serving as a Lobbyist for Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Bill was a man of many hobbies and interests. Among those was a passion for Dalmatians. He traveled throughout the Southeast to enter his Dalmatians in dog shows and won several medals. Nothing pleased Bill more than good times with family and friends. Bill and Angela loved hosting family, and their close friends Randy and Mike Denton, at their second home in Nelson County, Virginia for swims in the Rockfish River. He also loved family beach trips to the Outer Banks. Bill retired in 2005 and devoted many years to serving on the Board of the Virginia Peninsula SPCA, the James City County Citizens Emergency Response Team (“CERT”), and the Security Committee of Ford’s Colony; helping with political campaigns; and traveling extensively with his wife and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Gladys Welch; and sisters, Carol Snyder and Barbara Clark. Bill is survived by his wife of 27 years, Angela Welch; stepson, Preston “Cubby” Cleland (Melody) of Apex, North Carolina; granddaughters, Casey Cleland-Cox (Adam) of Raleigh, North Carolina and Harper Cleland of Los Angeles, California; nieces, Leanne Jolin (Scott) of Old Lyme, Connecticut; Cindy Carr (Paul) of Westbrook, Maine; Melinda Balser (Jeff) of Nashville, Tennessee; and Lauren Cole (Bob) of Fleming Island, Florida; nephews, Chris Dimmock (Sue) of Chicago, Illinois and Doug Snyder of Richmond, Virginia; and several grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted by Rev. Dr. Lannon Martin at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill, Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188 at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 20, 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bill’s memory to Williamsburg Area Faith in Action, 354 McLaws Circle, Suite 1, Williamsburg, VA 23185 - https://wfia.org. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.