William Cave Welch

William C. "Bud" Welch was born in Dallas, Texas December 10, 1922 and at age 2 moved to Oakwood, which he considered "home" for the rest of his life. He attended Oakwood schools, making lifelong friends and developing interests in sports, the outdoors and community life. Following his graduation from Oakwood High School in 1940, he attended Dartmouth College, class of 1944 and received an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration. While at Dartmouth he was a class officer, a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, and Casque & Gauntlet, the senior honorary society. He played on the varsity football and baseball teams and remained a loyal alumnus for over 70 years. His college years were interrupted by his service as a carrier pilot in the U.S. Naval Air Corps as a member of Carrier Squadron VTN-90. Most of Mr. Welch's business career was with L.M. Berry Co, which he joined in 1951 when Yellow Pages were little known. With his family, he relocated to more than 5 cities New Orleans, Louisville, Milwaukee, Birmingham and Dayton (4 times) in various management capacities. He retired as Executive Vice President in 1986. Mr. Welch was well known in the Dayton area, as he was active in many civic activities including Past President of Miami Valley Alzheimer's Association, many United Way drives and Dayton Rotary Club. At age 90, he led the effort to bring the Christmas tree and annual lighting ceremony to Hawthorn Hill, the Orville, Wilbur and Katherine Wright home. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Dayton Country Club, Moraine Country Club, the '39ers Men's Group, and Dayton Bicycle Club. Bud was an avid golfer and traveler. He was particularly proud of his two hole-in-ones and cherished the years he attended the Masters Golf Tournament. Mr. Welch is survived and loved by his lovely wife Aileen and his three daughters Debbie Branch, Kathryn Welch Howe (Con) and Missy Evans (Gary) and step-daughter, Brenda Rixey (Jim); grandchildren, William Branch (Laurie), Matthew Branch, Helen Howe (Alex), John Howe; step-grandchildren, Alex Rixey (Ivy) and Leigh Rixey; and three great grandchildren, Hunter, Hayes and Hallie Branch. Bud is preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Welch. Mr. Welch passed away the day after Christmas. His daughters had spent two memorable weeks with Aileen and Bud in early December in great happiness and conviviality. A funeral service for Bud will be held at St. Paul's Church, 33 W Dixon Ave, Dayton, OH 45419 on Saturday, December 31 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to St. Paul's Church or charities of your choice. The family would like to thank their special in-home care givers for all their wonderful help, Arlene Shaw, Akeva Palmer, and Deanna Hamlett.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429