Billy B Welch

Bill is survived by children, Brad (Kay) Welch of Cape Coral, FL, Joe (Bonnie) Welch of Salem, MO, Kelly (David) Eggebeen of Raleigh, NC, Brian (Ileana) Welch of Dacula, GA; stepchildren Michael (Leslie) Paladino of Bentonville, AR and Chris Paladino of Little Rock; grandchildren Brent Welch, Billy Welch, Brittany Montgomery, Bridget Welch, Tara Welch, Crystal Graham, Jessica Ward, Kenny Welch, Jamie Visentin, Jacob Eggebeen, Joe Eggebeen, Rebekah Bess; 11 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren

Bill was a decorated Air Force Master Sergeant serving his country for over 20 years where his specialty was Mechanical Drafting & Illustration. After retiring from the military, he called Altamonte Springs his home for 35 years. Aside from working with a few small companies in the Orlando area with his art design skills, he was one of the early cast members of Walt Disney World in their Design & Development Division, adding Disney’s trademark characters to various medias. He was one of only two artists that could sign Mickey’s name at the Orlando Park.

Bill was a tinkerer and a jack of all trades. It wasn’t unusual for him to build or fix a complex unit out of a piece of gum, its wrapper and a little elbow grease.

He was a widower, very much in love with his wife of 29 years, Debby. They shared their final years together in Bentonville, Arkansas before she passed away in 2019.

When he wasn’t helping others, he was rooting for the Arkansas Razorbacks and discovering unearthed coins, jewelry and other items with his metal detecting hobby.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Sunday, December 16, 2023 at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 North 12th Street, Fort Smith, AR.

Graveside services will be 10:00 am Monday, December 18, 2023 at the pavilion of Oak Cemetery, 1401 South Greenwood Avenue, Fort Smith. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1875 Eye Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20006 or go to www.pva.org