James William Welch

James William ""Bill"" Welch - Husband, Dad, and Navy Chief
James William Welch, affectionately known as ""Bill"" to family and friends, left us to be with God and Jesus on 9 June 2016.
Bill was born in Laurel, MS. He came from a long line of Welch's that settled in the Piney Woods area of Mississippi around 1800. Some of Bill's ancestors were among the Newton Knight group in Jones County that rebelled against the Confederacy, which demonstrated the Welch family's tendency to live life their way. Bill inherited this trait to the fullest for despite his significant health challenges, and much to his kids' chagrin, he continued to execute building projects, cooking projects, and airplane, machining, and welding activities, almost to the very end, often overcoming significant physical barriers along the way. He had great tenacity (stubbornness?) and a broad and remarkable knowledge of things. He helped shape the lives of his family and friends for almost 86 years.
Bill married his sweetheart, Norma Louise Reinike ""Pum"" Welch, at 16. She was 17. They started going together at ages 13 and 14. For almost 70 years they shared their zest for life. Pum and Bill had 68 wedding anniversaries, four bad kids, and were blessed with five grand children and four great-grandchildren, while living in 24 places throughout the United States. Their final home was the one Bill help build with his father-in-law, Charles Reinike, and that was the Reinike Homestead in Long Beach.
Bill was an avid Boy Scout in Troupe 205 in Long Beach. He mentioned often the very positive influence of Scout Leader Reverend Warden on his life. Bill served in the Mississippi State Guard at a time when he was probably too young to legally serve, but his Dad had influence and made it possible. Later Bill joined the Army and was part of the Allied Occupation Forces in Japan after World War II. He was Honorably Discharged following a drawdown of American Forces. After a brief period in the insurance industry, Bill again returned to serve our Nation and joined the Navy. He quickly rose to Chief Petty Officer and retired in 1970. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He then joined the Civil Service at the Gulfport Navy SeaBee Base, and ultimately had a total of 38 years of service to the Nation. Bill and Pum then ran the Cypress Grove Nursery for an additional 17 years. They were founding members of the Long Beach Yacht Club, and Bill was a member of the Southern Star Masonic Lodge # 500, F&AM in Long Beach. Bill was known for his expertise in electronics and marine electrical circuits; fish raising; plants; the magnetic signature of ships, and how to control these for mine warfare; gyroscopic navigation systems; bee keeping; model airplanes; and a host of other varied disciplines that would cost too much to mention here. He may best be remembered for his love of tools and his attempt to recreate Harbor Freight Tools in his backyard. He challenged his kids and grandkids to excel in many fields by his example. He had a major influence on four generations of his family.
Bill will be greatly missed by his family and friends for his fun-loving ways that taught about life and how to live it. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of almost 7 decades whom he missed sorely; his mother, father, and step-mother: Marguerite (Stephens) Welch, Robert ""Boley"" Welch, and Naomi Welch; his sister Nancy (Welch) Spayde; his mother-in-law and father-in-law: Dorcas (Panter) Reinike and Charles Reinike; his sisters-in-law: Frances (Reinike) Bertucci and Marguerite ""Gete"" (Reinike) Cuave; his brother-in-law, Robert Bass Sr; and his son-in-law, James E. Townsend. He leaves behind a loving sister, Stephanie ""Peg"" (Welch) Bass; a loving brother-in-law, Bobby Spayde; children, James ""Bill"" Welch, II, Dr. Charles ""Bob"" (and Terry) Welch, Tommi Townsend (and Dr. James ""Jimmy"") Baylot, Melinda Ann (and Howard ""Joe"") Durkee; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Julie (and Randy) Brander, Cynthia Welch, Joshua Welch and daughter Ryan, Dr. Amy (and Dr. Anthony ""Tony"") Bednar and daughters Elizabeth and Addison, and Meggie (and Travis) Edwards and daughter Taylor; twelve nieces and nephews, five first cousins, and loving ex-in-laws: Pat Ivans, Derek Farris, Rick Curry, and Beth Shores.
The family thanks the staffs at Mississippi Home Health, Memorial Hospital Gulfport, Select Hospital, and especially the staff at Dixie White House Nursing Home and the VA Biloxi Hospice Unit for their very special care. We extend a very special thanks to Stephanie ""Peg"" Bass, Cindy Hooker, Earline Cuave, Bobby Spayde, Carolyn Castanado and his nurse of long standing, Louise Marshall, for their above and beyond support. Bill wanted all to know how much he appreciated the prayers, visits, flowers, and cards.
Visitation and funeral will be on Tuesday, June 14, at 10:00 and 11:00, respectively, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd. in Long Beach. Brother Dewey Turnage will perform the service. Graveside service, with Military Honor Guard, will be held at Long Beach Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will be held at Long Beach Community Church following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Long Beach Community Church, 186 East Old Pass Rd, P.O. Box 947, Long Beach, MS 39560.
Dad, tell Mom hello for us!