Wayne D. Welch, ‘Dick’ or ‘WD’, of Montesano, WA, age 94, passed away at his home surrounded by members of his family, February 11, 2005, following a brief illness.
Time began for Dick on January 11, 1911 in Courtenay, British Columbia. Dick’s parents were Grover and Hattie McKay Welch, and for the most part he grew up in Skagit County graduating from Hamilton High School. Dick’s first job railroading was in the early 1930’s for Blodel-Donovan in Saxon, WA. He retired from the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad Company on January 3, 1975. Dick was superintendent of the Port Angeles Western Railroad from the middle 1940’s until they went out of business after the Forks fire in 1951.
Dick and Mary Anne C. Schmidt were married in 1939, and to this union was born Michael L. Welch of Kingston, WA and Dixie R. Welch Coggins of Lake Forest Park, WA.
WD moved back to the upper Skagit County from Port Angeles after his retirement. He and Charlotte King Bust were married in Forks, WA in 1975 and lived in Lyman, WA until after Charlotte’s death in 1994. In May of 2000, he moved to Montesano.
Dick had a great sense of humor and was always generous and courteous and considerate of others. He enjoyed hunting, clam digging, steelhead fishing, and he really enjoyed embellishing about the size of the fish. His love of all animals, domestic and wild, was evident throughout his life. Dick belonged to the Burlington United Lodge #93 F&AM and was a 32nd Degree Mason, a life member of the NRA and a 60 year member of the United Transportation Union.
Dick’s only full brother, Herbert M. Welch predeceased him.
Survivors include Michael Jean Welch and Dixie Truman Coggins; grandsons JD Heather Welch and their two children, Abbie and Cameron of Gilbert, AZ, Andrew Welch of Gig Harbor, WA, granddaughter Erica Brown of Portland, OR, half brother’s Don Carol Mason of Centralia, WA and Jim Helen Mason of Montesano, WA. In addition to nephews, nieces, and cousins, Dick had many dear friends who all enjoyed his wisdom, wit, humor, and a very caring personality.
He will survive in our memories and in the hearts of all he encountered. In the twinkle of his families’ eyes, he will live forever. The family wishes to thank the staff at Harbor’s Home Health and Hospice, particularly Nurse Kim, for their loving gift of caring. Memorial’s are suggested to Harbor’s Home Health and Hospice 201 7th St Hoquiam, WA 98550 360-532-5454.
Private Family Inurnment Services will be held at the Lyman Cemetery with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at the Burlington United Lodge #93 F&AM 106 Warner St with Pastor Ron Schenk of the Lyman Baptist Church officiating on Friday, March 18, 2005 at 1:00 PM. Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, WA. You are invited to share your memories of Dick by signing our online guestbook at www.lemleychapelcom.