William Leo (W.L., Bud) Welch, Jr.

With his family by his side, Bud went to heaven on September 17th, 2008, at Medical Center of South Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Bertha Welch, a brother Charles Welch, a sister in law Ollie Welch, a brother in law Marcus Kingrey and a son in law Lawrence Poole. He was also there to hold his family together when his granddaughter Nikole Dugal was killed in a car accident on Labor Day September 6, 2004.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Melba Frisby Welch, who was always by his side waiting on him, sitting in the window together, and they were always there for each other. He also leaves behind his sister, Marzelle Kingrey, who throughout his life was his best friend and 3 children and their spouses, Vicky (Billy) Landers of Spearsville La., who will be singing for her dad at the funeral service. Wade Welch of Strong, who learned from his dad the mechanic trade and worked beside him daily. And his baby girl, Gloria (Gene) Craig, who lived right beside him was in and out to check on her dad daily making sure he was OK and he always made sure she was OK.

Papaw, loved and adored his 9 grandchildren. He loved watching them in his yard and spoiling them as they grew up. Starting with the oldest to youngest, each one was special; Melissa (Ralph) Cole, Laurie (Perry) Clark, Michelle McGehee, Rodney (Kim) Dugal, Shay(Alison) Dugal, Tonya (Michael) Stone, Shannon Butler, Kim Welch, Jessica (Chris) Bone.

22 Great grandchildren, WOW, was the house full when they were all there. Each one received their share of love; Mitchell and Justin Cole, Briana Clark, Lauren and Austin (Shaggy) McGehee, Halie Dunn, Tavin Stone, Sabrina and Piper Butler, Adrian Welch, Mary Bone, Raegan, Seth and Ty Dugal, Kale Dugal, Ariel King, Makayla and Tori Yarbrough, Chance Free, Brennan Craig, Bailey and Brad Davis.

Bud is also survived by a brother and sister in law J.D. and Mona Frisby.

For 42 years Bud was part owner of Urbana Well Service and loved the Oil Business. He could be found with oil on his hands, face, and under a pulling machine pulling a motor to be ready to roll the next day. When he retired Bud and Melba loved to travel in their RV and relaxing and fishing at their Lake House on Lake Darbonne.

He is a member and deacon of Knowles Baptist Church. He was born and lived in the Centerpoint Community all his life.

The Memorial Service to celebrate Bud's life will be Friday, September 19th at 2 PM at Knowles Baptist Church, Old Strong Hwy. Strong, AR, with Tommy Nash and Michael Martin officiating. The Service will be conducted by Perry's Funeral Chapels.