LEE and CLINTON – “Faltering in steps in recent days, nothing the same in his “same old ways”, but now free to go with arms open wide to greet his Alfreda “on the other side.” Bill passed into God’s care on Sept. 4, 2004, at the wonderful age of 86, after spending the day in the presence of his large and loving family. He began life’s journey in Rockland on May 15, 1918, when he was born to John and Daisy (Eaton) Welch. Bill was predeceased by his childhood sweetheart and wife, Alfreda “Freda” Warren Clark Welch; his beloved daughter, Linda Alice Welch Coleman; and his dear sister, Dorothy. Missing his presence in their lives will be his brother, John; his son, William Jr. and his wife, Donna, of Lee; his daughter, Laurie and her husband, Don Richards, of Rockport; his grandchildren, Sarah, David, Debbie, Jeff, Rachel, Sky, Mo, Will, Kit, Missy, Myhre, Erick, Ginny, Ben, Evan and David; his great-grandchildren, Gabe, Becky, Elijah, Leah, Davey, Joseph, Esther, Bella, Amelia, Allie, Tabby, Cassie, Ethan, Nolie and Tommy; dear sisters-in-law, June and Lucy; and his loyal family pet, Ras. For 41 years, Bill belonged to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. At the start of his career, he worked at the Limerock Railroad out of Rockland. After seven years, he took an exam and became a conductor, mostly on the Maine Central for the rest of his working years. During World War II, he volunteered to join the Army. He served in Germany, Holland, France and Belgium. Service to country kept Bill from being at his mother’s side at her passing; something he always regretted. In his youth, Bill was active in football, baseball, track and basketball. He began hunting, fishing and trapping with his younger brother, John, and carried the love of these sports to many happy adventures with his son, Billy. Bill’s supper table stories of his past ran from his courtship of Freda, to his and his children’s escapades when young, to adventures in the service and on the railway. He spared no embarrassing moment and could recall the names of friends from 75 years earlier with ease. Bill was a staunch fan of the Red Sox and spent hours watching the 2004 Olympics. This patriarch of the Welch family will be laid to rest beside his beloved Freda in the Veterans’ Cemetery in Augusta. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of choice in his honor. Visiting hours will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lincoln, with the Rev. Myles Cyr officiating. For an online register please visit www.clayfuneralhome.com.
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ WELCH
