William R. Welsh

WORCESTER/ HOLDEN – William “Bill” R. Welsh, 92, a resident of Notre Dame du Lac Assisted Living on Plantation Street, Worcester, formerly a 43 year resident of Holden, died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, May 28, 2012.



His wife of 54 years, Kathryn “Kay” R. (Skidmore) Welsh died in March of 2009. Mr. Welsh is survived by his son, Richard W. Welsh of Worcester; a daughter, Christina M. Gentile and her husband Michael of Rutland; a brother, Robert Welsh of Florida; a grandson, Brian M. Gentile and his wife Sarah of Leicester; a granddaughter, Brianna M. Gentile of Rutland; a very special great-grandson, Liam M. Gentile of Leicester; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, James E. Welsh III.



Bill was born in Holden on December 8, 1919, the son of James E. and Sarah (Jones) Welsh. Along with his father he was raised by a very loving step-mother Hazel (Wood) Welsh after the age of seven. He graduated from Holden High School in 1937. Mr. Welsh entered military service on December 13th, 1939, and remained in the military until May 31, 1964. He served in the Army Air Corps until 1948 when it became the United States Air Force. He served periods of Foreign Service in Wiesbaden, Germany and on the Island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean. He also served two tours of duty with the Air Force Advisor Office of the Massachusetts Air National Guard at Logan Airport, Boston and at Green Hill Park, Worcester. He retired from the United States Air Force while serving with the 12th Air Force Headquarters in Waco, Texas as a Master Sergeant. After returning to Massachusetts, Bill worked for twenty one years with the MA Division of Employment Security as a Disputed Claims Adjudicator, Retiring in December of 1986.



Bill was a long time member of St. George’s Church on Brattle Street in Worcester, the St. George’s Church Men’s Club and served as a Eucharistic Minister there. He was a member of the Gale Free Library in Holden, as well as the Friends of Holden Council on Aging. After moving to Notre Dame du Lac Assisted living six years ago, he served on the Residence Council and was a Lector at Daily Masses. He will be remembered for his service to his country and community, as well as his dedication to his family and friends



Bill’s family would like to thank UMass Memorial Hospice for all their compassion and support during his illness, and a very grateful thank you to a special Angel, Betty Mensah. Also they would like to thank the community at Notre Dame du Lac for their friendship to Bill over the past six years.



Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Bill’s life will be held from the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 1, at St. George’s Church, 40 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue (Rte. 56), Paxton. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gale Free Library, 23 Highland Street, Holden, MA 01520.



To share a memory or offer a condolence, visit www.milesfuneralhome.com