Captain Walter MacKay Welch, USAF, European Theater was delivered by his grandparents, Dr. Daniel MacKay and Lucy Holt Filcher MaKay August 30, 1924 at the MacKay Hospital in White Sulphur Springs, Montana.
His parents Walter G. and Hester (MacKay) Welch moved to Stevensville where he developed lifelong relationships especially with his Filcher cousins. He was months from graduating when Pearl Harbor occurred so he along with the majority of the boys joined WWII. His desire was to be a pilot, although due to testing in basic they found he would be perfect for bombardier/navigator. He was with 8th Air Force 2nd Division 389th stationed at Hethal, England.
Following the end of the war he was eventually stationed in Denver, Colorado. While at a USO function he met and married Marilyn E. Woods. He left active duty going to college in Missoula and was hired by the National Bureau of Standards in D.C. During this time he was also in the reserves. Retirement brought them to White Sulphur Springs with several trips to visit friends and family. He returned to Norwich, England for several 2nd Air Division reunions. While on these reunions he attempted to trace MacKay and Welch relatives without success.
He died September 25, 2013 at Mountianview Medical Center, White Sulphur Springs. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, many Holt, MacKay, Filcher, Thoroughman, Welch and Woods family members.
Survivors include his daughter Arlana Welch (Jim Morris), Everett, Washington; sister-in-law Ann Woods, nieces Nancy Woods, Anna Benedict, Aubrey Benedict and nephew Dr. Roberts Woods all of Arizona.
Memorial services will be 2:00 pm, Friday, October 4 at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs.
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fc says
Even though I did not know Walter personally, I really wanted to express my condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. God truly cares how we feel and He is eager to reunite those that have fallen asleep in death with their loved ones once again. His word the bible speaks of this time occurring in the very near future when death will be a thing of the past. I wanted to share with you three scriptures, Isaiah 25:8 and Revelation 21:3, 4. I truly hope that those bible verses bring you comfort during your time of sadness.