Dr. William James Welch

Dr. William James Welch (1958-2021) of Norco, California transcended this temporary mortal realm on January 4th, 2021. “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Dont you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” Billy Graham William (Bill) born on June 3rd, 1958 in Robbinsdale, MN to parents James Bernard Welch and Dolores Jeane (Williams) Welch. "Bill" was resilient from the beginning he had to be to survive growing up as the fifth of ten children in the Welch clan. Beloved brother of Nancy Radtke, Deborah Prokosch, Patricia Connett, Thomas Welch, Renee Ronning, Daniel Welch, Timothy Welch, Mary Fossell, and lastly but not least Jennifer Pickard. The Welch clan includes cousins, lots of cousins. Weekends were spent with cousins Mickey (Moose) Welch, Amy Shoemaker, Mary Jo Welch, and Ellen Feuerhelm children of Richard "Bud" Welch and Norene "Nori" Welch Duchene. Close your eyes and imagine 14 kids all ages playing, fighting, and the fun they had together. Bill's life was the epitome of Robert Frost's poem "The path not taken" For Bill walked his own path when other paths were more defined and expected. " Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference" Bill spent his boyhood doing what boys do with his "best friends for life" Steve Sadowski and Joe Schnellman. Huck Finn would have envied the fun and mischief successfully completed at Steve's family home on Carver Lake in Woodberry, Mn. Bill loved and excelled at sports. Being naturally strong boyhood included football, baseball, hockey, skiing, basically anything where you throw, catch, kick or hit a ball, hold a stick or slap a puck. The Welch Clan relocated to northern Minnesota during Bill's high school years. In Hoyt Lakes, MN (North of even Duluth) Bill met more "friends for life", Guy Olson, Mitch Ronning, Brian "Tick" Swentik, and foreign exchange student Javier Rodriguez Garcia. Bill continued sports in high school. Most memorable was competing on the state level in downhill skiing. Summers were spent camping, fishing, and other Huck Finn adventures such as: Being 14 Bill was too young to get a "real" job so he traveled over 250 miles solo on a 10 speed by bicycle in two days to work at Arends' farms. A seasoned cycler trains for months to be fit enough to ride a couple of hundred miles, Bill decided one day to go to Uncle Bud and Aunt Nori's in Luverne, Mn to get this farm job. While other city kids were goofing off, Bill learned to drive tractors and ride three wheelers. Yes that's right traveling alone, by bike. The old motel where he stayed overnight thought he might be a runaway. Imagine how hard it is to rent a motel room at this age. Then in succeeding years he worked for Uncle Daryl and Aunt Julia of course, being at the farm included cousin time with Lillian Heeren and Marjane Taylor. With high school diploma in hand Bill began his service to our country with the United States Air Force. His service time included being stationed on Kadena Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan. It was there he met and forged lifelong friendships with Rob Tupek, Tony (Crupi) Nelson, and others. Again he kept in contact with his Band of Brothers over the years, neither distance nor time deterred his investment in his friendships. His service time included being stationed in California, which resulted in being able to spend time with his Uncle Dennis, Aunt Lesley, and California cousins Matthew, Laurence, and Christopher. He was serving as a crew chief on the flight line at George AFB in Victorville CA when on a fateful Friday night he ventured to San Bernardino with fellow flyboys to meet girls. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 After four years of dating the then 17 year old high school senior Robin Strauss and Bill were married on October 17, 1981. Bill whisked his California native off to Thief River Falls, MN where temperatures over the winter dip to -40 degrees to finish his Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics training. After graduation Bill landed a position with Rockwell International in southern California as a Logistics Engineer and embarked on a career in the aerospace industry. Work became a lot more fun once Novel Caro, Dave Penman, and Steve Crane became Bill's work buddies. These guys stuck together as they bounced around to the competing companies within the industry. These friendships spanned a lifetime "Wedge" or "Big Head Bill" like his buddies made the rounds gaining valuable experience as he advanced his career. Bill and Robin settled in Anaheim, CA and both embarked on finishing their higher education. Bill, Dave and Norvel worked and studied together, helping each other which resulted in all graduating from National University with their B.S. in Aviation Mgmt and Aeronautical Engineering. Bill graduated with honors. Their son graduating college was a complete surprise to his parents Jim and Dolores (both deceased.) Bill had kept secret his studies until nearing his graduation date so he could surprise his parents with an invitation to attend his commencement ceremony, him being the first of their children to obtain a college degree. Bill worked hard, studied hard and played hard. He continued playing league hockey, had marathon basketball games with his "regulars". He and Robin took advantage of their idyllic location and love of the outdoors by spending winters skiing and summers beaching and hiking. It was after relocating to Dayton, Ohio (Think snow again) while working on Wright Patterson AFB, Bill decided a change in careers made sense for him. Bill embarked on a five year journey to study medicine and become a doctor of chiropractic care. The best fit was the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic (Think sun and beaches). Bill's study buddies Dr. Mike Rodriquez, Dr. Eric Sense,Dr. Dave Harman, Dr. David Skinner, and Dr. Brian Heller and he studied diligently, once again Bill graduated with honors. Becoming a doctor was the perfect fit for Bill. Truly his calling in life. He loves people, is naturally curious and loves to hear their stories. His gregarious personality and desire to heal was the ideal combination to start his own practice. It was at this time Bill became a father for the first time. Simon William Welch was welcomed on November 19,1995. Becoming parents changed everything for Bill and Robin. To say Bill was a devoted dad would be a gross understatement. He dedicated himself to growing his practice and when not at work he was home. Bill established his practice in Buena Park, CA a mere 10 minutes from home. Every evening consisted of taking Simon on walks, swinging on swings, bath time and playtime routines, and weekly trips to Disneyland to watch the Lion King parade and fireworks. As the practice grew and flourished Bill and Robin relocated to Norco, CA and it was here that Rachel Erin Welch was welcomed on February 2, 2000. Bill reduced his days at the office once Rachel joined the family. If he did have a meeting he'd just take her with him. He may have thought nothing of taking a little girl's tea set to a restaurant so he could have a tea party during a business meeting. Being a dad was his top priority and being with his girl took precedence. Living in Norco allowed Bill to express his inner farm boy. He set about making the acre of God's earth a giant garden with chickens and playground for kids. He established a second office in Norco so he could be closer to home part of the week. This allowed him to attend every event that Simon and Rachel were involved in, little league, school performances, awards ceremonies, volunteer events at their schools, even if the event was a mere 15 minutes long Bill made time to be in attendance. As his practice grew so did his friendships. He did not miss opportunities to establish long term friendships with his patients, the attorney groups he worked with and other health care related contacts. He excelled at maintaining relationships and investing in caring about people. It just came naturally for him. Raising his family, caring for his patients, and maintaining his relationships with friends and family is who Bill was at his core. These were his priority. Friendly and always smiling is how he has been described often. Anyone that met Bill, early on in their friendship would come to learn that Bill had a deep faith in God. He shared his faith with words and deeds. His generosity knew no limits. If he heard there was a need he would attempt to fill it. He was so excited to see Simon get baptized at age nine that he decided to do the same. When the opportunity arose again recently to be baptized in the Jordan River during a trip to Israel both he and Simon were baptized again. He most likely would have chosen to get baptized with his boy as many times as Simon wanted. Bill's love for the outdoors manifested in his appreciation for the beauty and natural resources God afforded us in his creation. He spent his lifetime a student of geography, science, and history to deepen his understanding and share knowledge with anyone about how complicated and wonderful our world really is. Both he and Robin were intentional in making sure Simon and Rachel were introduced and fostered a lifelong love for being outdoors. The practical application of this was multiple trips a year camping mostly in our National and State Parks. Being fit and strong meant Bill was the family pack horse, always carrying a backpack loaded with water, snacks, extra jackets, and tissues. Many times when Rachel was young he carried her as well, that included the 7 mile Primitive Trail at Devil's Garden in Arches National Park, Logan's Pass and St. Mary Falls in Glacier National Park. This love of nature travel meant we spent many Thanksgiving's celebrating our nontraditional meal in the most spectacular or odd places. Thanksgiving in Tombstone meant bbq. In Moss Landing it meant chili. Kayenta, NM meant fry bread. One year waffles at a Waffle House. To gain perspective the best views are found from the mountain top. The abundance of wildlife is found in the valleys or meadows at sunset and dawn. Nothing beats the view of the Milky Way seated around a campfire. Also its worth it to catch up on sleep tomorrow if that means getting up at midnight tonight to drive two hours to watch a meteor shower. Bill loved adventure, spontaneity and sharing those with his loved ones. He has given his children and friends priceless gifts of his time, devotion, generosity, love, and amiable nature. Life lessons learned from him always with a smile on his face. Bill lived life a model of faithfulness to his faith, wife, children, career, and country. He was steady. He knew who he was and what's important for true happiness and deep enduring joy. He knew and taught that homemade cookies are always worth it and far superior to store bought. Chocolate chip cookies reign number one of all cookies. The Road Not Taken Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Dr. William James Welch will be interned in Riverside National Cemetery with military honors on February 18th, 2021 and a celebration of life event will be had at a later date. Cemetery Location Not Available Thursday 2/18, 2:00 pm