Bill was born Feb. 1, 1931, in Biddeford, a son of Mary and Raymond Welch. He attended Kennebunk schools and graduated from Kennebunk High School in the Class of 1949.
He worked odd jobs around town until enlisting in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 22, 1951. He received boot camp training in Newport, Rhode Island, and was assigned to the USS Wright Aircraft Carrier, working in the boiler room.
From 1951-54, he saw service in the Mediterranean, north Atlantic, Pacific, Cuba, Japan, Hong Kong and Europe. He was discharged in 1955 in Long Beach, California.
He married Vonnie Wicks from Wilmington, Massachusetts, on Nov. 20, 1954, in Wilmington. He retired as a mechanic and front-end alignment man from Jim’s Service Station.
He was an avid fisherman and hunter for many years.
Bill was preceded in death by: his siblings, Ernest “Bud” Welch, Leslie Welch, Beatrice Cole, Ruth Cole, Rosamond Welch and Isabel Skinner.
He is survived by: his wife, Vonnie Welch; three sons, Steven and his wife Chris, Mark and his wife Darlene, and Gary and his wife Joy; five grandsons, Aaron and his wife Trish from Saco, Bryan and his wife Megan from Wells, and Timothy, Todd and his wife Amy, and Benjamin and his wife Sarah, all from Arundel; one granddaughter, Heather Strout and her husband Benjamin from Kennebunk; four great-grandchildren, Emmalyn Rose, Alden, Luke and Cody; a sister, Frances Grace of Kennebunk; brothers Cliff and Jim Welch of Kennebunk; and many nieces and nephews.
Bill enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their many visits. He will be sorely missed.
There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at Christ Church, 6 Dane St., Kennebunk.
Should friends choose, memorial donations in Bill’s memory can be made to: Christ Church, 6 Dane St., Kennebunk, ME 04043, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Bill’s Book of Memories Page at bibberfuneral.com.
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