Wallace Welch

Wallace Bernard “Wally†Welch, a Grayland resident died Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at the Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen; he was 86. Wally was born April 4, 1928 at Alsea, Oregon to Bernard Harrison and Nettie May (Sturgis) Welch. He served in the US Air Force in Biloxi, MI. He was employed by Consolidated Freightways for 25 years, 20 of which he was shop steward as well as a Commercial Fisherman for an additional 25 years. Wally was a member of St. Johns Bachelor Club in Portland, OR, the Washington Dragger Association and a member of the NRA. Wally enjoyed many things throughout his years including owning a cattle ranch, gardening, seasonal hunting, gun collecting, he even owned a night club at one time. He owned the third double rig fishing vessel and the first factory processor on the West Coast. In the early 70’s, Wally pentioned the fish and wildlife dept. and FDA to have the “hake†species re-named to “Pacific Whiting†and be reviewed for human consumption after witnessing the hunger of many families. Wally is survived by his wife Shirley Welch of Grayland; a son Richard Zackery (Catherine) Welch of Westport, a daughter Ramona Beth (Ed) Hudson of Aumsville, OR; six grandchildren, Ember Hudson, Kyle Welch, Lisa Ashby, Deaja Nelson Rosander, Colton Welch and Heather Welch; and five great grandchildren, Clayton, Dalton, Troy, Palix and McKenna Rain, also surviving are two nephews, Larry & Debra Sapp and Rocky Walker. Wally was preceded in death by three sisters, Jesse Welch Rassmussen, Dorothy Walker, Irene Sapp and many special friends and loving caregivers Helen and Bob Shaver and Kimberlee Danielson (Russ). Memorial donations may be made to HAVA Heart in Wally’s name, PO Box 243, Raymond, WA 98577. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond with burial to follow at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Wallace Welch please visit our Sympathy Store.