Eddie Clayton Welch, 86, of Kentwood, passed away, Tuesday , July 10, 2018 at St. Helena Parish Hospital in Greensburg, LA.He was born January 8, 1932 in Gillsburg, MS. He was the son of Eddie and Olevia Frazier Welch. He was a retired forester beginning his career with Crown Zellerbach. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Eddie enjoyed gardening and working with honey bees. His favorite pastime was riding and sightseeing, riding his golf cart in the woods and was a devoted country music fan.

He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, E.H. Welch of Kentwood; three sisters, Willie Murl Welch, Dorothy Nell Welch Connelly and Joyce Welch who passed away as an infant.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Wilma Cutrer Smith Welch of Kentwood: his children, Bonnie Welch Sonnier of Pride, Debbie Welch Marionneaux of Lutcher, Edward W. Welch of Denham Springs, Liz Welch Smith and husband, Lonny Smith of Lottie and step-son, Wayne Smith and wife, Margaret Smith of Liberty, MS; two brothers and their spouses, James and Murline Welch and Walter and Ella Welch all of Greensburg; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, cousins and nieces and nephews.

Visitation is Thursday at First Baptist Church in Kentwood from 11AM until services at 2PM with Bro. Darryl Miller officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Woodland cemetery under the direction of Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit.

Pallbearers are Lonny Smith, Rob Cope, Jr. Blake Hamel, Wayne Smith, Wesley Holmes and Brock Hargis. Honorary pallbearer will be Edward Welch.

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