William Henry Welch

Bill, as he was affectionately known to friends, spent the latter years of his life in Austin, Texas with Marianne, his wife of 63 years.

Bill attended Trinity University in San Antonio on a track scholarship, and graduated with a degree in economics in 1951. He married Marianne Kendrick, a fellow Trinity alum, on December 22, 1952. He then volunteered for the United States Army and was quickly tapped for Officer Candidate School. After serving three years and becoming a father to his first two sons, Steven and Ronald, Bill made a career change. His years spent roughnecking in oilfields during college attracted the interest of NL Industries, which offered him a position as a sales engineer.

His new career began in Liberty, Texas as a field sales mud engineer, but would take him all over the world, including multiple stops in Texas, where there third son Clinton was born while the family lived in Alvin; Oklahoma; Louisiana; Maracaibo, Venezuela; and London, England. Bill worked his way up the corporate ladder, strengthened by the constant support of Marianne and the boys. They often said that the difficulties of travel meant nothing, because, as long as they had each other, the family was home. By the end of his 36-year career, Bill had served as President of NL Atlas Bradford, President of NL Baroid, Corporate Vice President of NL Industries, and finally President and Chief Operating Officer for NL Petroleum Services.

In September 1985, Bill said, "All of us benefit from being in this industry and this country. We take out of them so we should try to put back equivalent value for those who follow us." He spent the last 30 years of his life putting this belief into practice, providing countless opportunities for future generations.

In the early Eighties, with his brother Malcolm, he founded Valley Shamrock Inc. in McAllen, Texas. Under the brothers' leadership, Valley Shamrock became a valuable company that they sold to Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, Inc. in 2000 (Ultramar Diamond was acquired by Valero Energy in 2001). In 1993, again with his beloved brother Malcolm, Bill invested in Cottonwood Tucson. They helped build Cottonwood into a world-renowned behavioral health and addiction treatment center. Cottonwood Tucson remains a Welch family business today.

Bill's ability to relate to all people afforded him a successful business career, but made him an even better family man. He never told the same story twice and his tales of travel, and the interesting people he met along the way, delighted his family and friends. He never forgot a name or a face, and was fast to give praise to others before taking any credit for himself. He believed in "an honest exchange of ideas between people, being willing to listen, getting the opportunity to talk, and then doing what you say you will."

Bill loved his wife's banana blueberry pies (and any other sweets he could sneak). If you were spending any time with him, you had better have some sweet iced tea–-and none of that bottled stuff. He loved watching sports, playing golf, fishing, hunting, and simply talking with his children and grandchildren about life and the world. His punctuality was unmatched. He would often arrive at his grandsons' sporting events before the team buses. There was no replacement for "his seat" – even when there were 10,000 other options available.

After a life of adventure, Bill and Marianne retired to Georgetown, Texas where they attended the First Presbyterian Church for 18 years. They were active members who rarely missed a Sunday, and his favorite Bible verse was 1 Corinthians 13:4-10. Bill gave generously throughout his life, supporting especially the American Diabetes Association and Capital Area Council, Inc. - Boy Scouts of America.

Bill Welch is survived by his beautiful, loving wife Marianne, their three sons, and their families: Steve, his children Rick and Elizabeth, his wife JoAnn, and her children Shea and Matt; Ron, his children Lauren, Brian, and Mary, his wife Debbie, and her children Mac, Hunter, and Cole; and Clint, his wife Karen, and their children Kristin and Jared. Additionally, Bill is survived by 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-nieces and -nephews who will continue to love and honor Bill's legacy.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., in Austin.

Memorial gifts may be made in Bill's name to: American Diabetes Association, 9430 Research Boulevard, Echelon 2, Suite 150, Austin, Texas, 78759 or to the

Capitol Area Council, Inc. – Boy Scouts of America, 12500 North IH 35, Austin, Texas 78753