William P. Welter Jr., 86, of Welter Road in Butler, passed away at 3:45 a.m. Sunday at Sugarcreek Rest, Worthington.
William, "Bill," was born in Pittsburgh to William P. Welter Sr. and Margaret (Fink) Welter on Oct. 29 1929.
He attended school through the seventh grade and went on to become a successful farmer and businessman.
In 1953, he met and married the true love of his life, Ethelreda Elizabeth Widenhofer Welter.
They raised seven children and worked together side-by-side each day of their 62-year marriage.
Bill and Ethelreda "retired" at age 50.
Bill took great satisfaction in working with several of their children as they built their own homes.
He enjoyed planning and building projects as well as travel adventures across this country and between homes in Florida and Pennsylvania.
He had a passion for westerns and anything with Mr. John Wayne. Bill was involved in his church and particularly enjoyed volunteering at the annual picnics.
William was preceded in death by his beloved son, Edward Joseph Welter; and grandsons, Christopher Ryan Lewis and Brian Mark Lewis. He was also preceded in death by his younger brothers, Ronald and Norman Welter; and older sister, Alice Dobbs.
William is survived by his three daughters, Dr. Eleanora Welter Lewis of Fenelton; Mrs. Margaret Lamison and husband James of Fenelton, and Mrs. Shirley Simpson and husband William of Chicora.
He is survived by three sons, William P. Welter III and wife, Marleen, of Butler, Timothy A. Welter and hid wife, Lori, of Butler and Terry E. Welter and his wife, Michele, of Butler; and Mrs. Tamara Welter, widow of son Edward.
William was a proud grandfather to 27 grandchildren and proud great-grandfather of 39 great-grandchildren.
William is also survived by three sisters, Lois Zellefrow of Florida, Marlene Nagle of Butler and Carol Bortz and her husband, Gary, of Fenelton; and a brother, Richard Welter and his wife, Carol, of Butler.
WELTER - Visitation and viewing for William P. Welter Jr., who died Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Steighner Funeral Home at the corner of Main and East Slippery Rock Streets, in downtown Chicora.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Carbon Center, Pa. with the Rev. Matthew McClain of St. Wendelin Catholic Church officiating.
Cremation will follow with Steighner Funeral Home handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Wendelin Catholic School, 210 St. Wendelin Road, Carbon Center, Butler, PA 16002.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the lovely staff at Sugarcreek Rest and Three Rivers Hospice, also to our friends and family who offered their support with a helping hand throughout this difficult year.
For information, directions and to extend condolences to his family go to: www.steighnerfuneralhome.com.