Kenneth "Bill" WELCH

Kenneth “Bill” William Welch, 74, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, February 16, 2009 in Lake Havasu City, AZ. He was born on December 10, 1934 in Brown City, MI; to Kenneth Edgar and Louise (Richardson) Welch.Bill proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy Reserve unit in Port Huron, MI; for 9 years. He graduated from Barber College in May, 1953, prior to graduating from high school that month. He worked in his father’s barbershop for 9 years and retained an active Barber license in Michigan until his death. Bill also held various jobs throughout his lifetime; road construction; delivery of Standard Oil petroleum products to local farmers and businesses; National Sales Representative for Frank Industries, RV manufacturing, and later known as Xplorer Motor Homes; trained with Farm Bureau Insurance Company, which he owned and operated for 25 years before retiring in Michigan. Bill and Barbara enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada in their motor home until 5 years ago, when they decided to make Lake Havasu City their new home. One of their favorite locations to visit was the Pacific Northwest coastline, particularly Newport, OR; where Bill spent hours attempting to catch Dungeness crabs. They also enjoyed traveling with the London Bridger’s RV club of Lake Havasu City. Among other favorite hobbies were building, flying, and rebuilding remote control airplanes. He was an active member and officer of the Havasu Sport Flyers and the Desert Hawks. Bill was a very caring individual that enjoyed his affiliation with multiple service organizations, especially the Shriners, the Masons and the Eagles.He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara Ann; son, William Alan Welch (Joanne) of TX; daughter, Lori Ann Welch of CA. Also surviving are five grandchildren; Jennifer (Welch) and Brian Remsberg of SC; Eric Welch, stationed in ME; with the U.S. Navy; Lisa (Welch) and Mikah Wisner of AK; Adam and Monique Banas of ID; and Anya Banas of CO. Bill enjoyed a recent visit with his two great grandsons, Dean and Franklin Remsberg of SC. Bill is also survived by sister, Juanita (Welch) and Wayne Smith of MI; brother, Dr. Myron and Marcia Welch of IA; brother-in-law Carl and Shirley Borsodi of MI; sister-in-law, June Pridemore of MI; brother-in-law Bob Sakuta of MI; plus many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at Lietz-Fraze Chapel on Friday, February 20, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations to Hospice of Havasu, P.O. Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ. 86405 or the charity of your choice.Condolences and thoughts can be made to his family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.comArrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.