William "Bill" Robert Welker, Sr.

William ”Bill” Robert Welker, 87, beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother and friend was reunited with his mother, father, siblings and granddaughter on December 26, 2024.  He was residing in the family home that he built and with the people he loved. We would love to have you join our family in celebration on Saturday, January 4, 2025. A visitation is 12pm – 2pm with the service following at 2pm at Mt. Hope United Church of Christ, where Mr. Welker was a life-long member, located at 2400 Mt. Hope Church Road in Whitsett, NC  27377.  Officiating are Pastor Reverend Kristin Gerner Vaughn and Pastor Michael Barrett.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery with a military honors performed by the Randolph County Honor Guard. 

William Robert Welker was the fourth of seventeen children born to the late Claude and Rosa Welker. Bill was the oldest living male in generations of the Welker Family. In Bill’s family alone, there were 5 generations.

Bill served his country in the US Army and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia as a munition specialist. He then joined the National Guard in Greensboro, NC. Bill was a carpenter by trade and owned Welker Construction Company. He worked alongside his brothers and did business in all of North Carolina for over 5o years. Bill enjoyed water skiing at High Rock Lake where family and friends would go on weekends making many memories. He enjoyed golfing, racing his car #11 and attending racetracks with friends as an avid NASCAR fan. Bill restored old cars and could work on and repair anything mechanical. He shared his life’s ambition to make things better for people around him. He would give work to the “work release” men in the area for many years as an encouragement to them. Bill was owner and operator of the McConnell Road Exxon for several years where he made many friends. After retirement, Bill worked with JW Shoe maintaining the Shillelagh Golf Course.

William Welker is preceded in death by his parents; Claude Lawson Welker and Rosa Crenshaw Welker; a granddaughter, Christina Lynn Welker; brothers, Thomas “Fuzz” David Welker, Brant Welker, Jerry Welker, Steven “Pete” Welker; a special brother-in-law, Richard Cox; sister, Margaret Jo Welker; father and mother-in-law, Gilbert Leroy Parks and Sadie Mae Parks and special brothers-in-law, John Barry Kluttz and Jimmy Ray Parks.

Bill is survived by his wife, the love of his life of 66 years as of July 4th, 2024, Peggy Parks Welker; children, William “Willie” Robert Welker, Jr., Darryl Wayne Welker, Lyndy “Sis” Welker, Jimmy Harville, Hector “Cacho” Walter Alonzo and family;  grandchildren,  Alison Thomas (Lindale), Holli Johnson (Ronnie), Brandon Seth Welker, Jeremy Kirklin Harville (Tabitha), Christopher William Dry, Samuel Comer, Julie Comer, Andy Comer, and special granddaughter, Dalaney Mattox; great grandchildren, Cylee, William Douglas, Sawyer and Bailey Welker, Mercedes, Isador, Louie, Laven, Lindale, Jr., Dior, and Myla Thomas;  great great grandchildren, Kingston, Reenesme Dry and Ariella Thomas; and  last, but not least, the best ever canine friend, Baumer; special friends,  Donnie Larimore, Pat Forrest, and Tom Larson; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; siblings, Barbara, Mary Cox, Judith Nell Welker, Betty Knebel (George), Claudia Sue Myers (Ed), Angie Welker Reaves (David), James “Jim” Claude Welker (Debra), Jack Lawson Welker, Charles “Ike” Daniel Welker (Gail), John Eugene Welker (Betty), and Richard “Porky” Earl Welker (Sherrie).

A very special “Thank You” to Natalia, our caregiver; Amy, our nurse and a very special friend for many years, Dr. James Kim.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Mt. Hope United Church of Christ, 2400 Mt. Hope Church Road, Whitsett, NC  27377 or to Victory Junction 4500 Adams, NC  27317.

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