Jan. 12, 1950 – May 16, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for William Lee “Bill” Welsh, 67, of Natchez, who died Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Tulane Hospital in New Orleans, will be 11 a.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Denny Callaway officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Welsh was born Jan. 12, 1950, in Natchez, the son of Thomas P. Welsh and Ruby Chisolm Welsh.

He was raised in Natchez along with three siblings. He had many stories and too many friends to list.  He was an outgoing hard working man, one who inspired many.

He loved his family, loved talking, playing and getting to know everyone he came in contact with.

Mr. Welsh was co-owner and operator of River City Painting and Body Shop in Natchez for more than 30 years. After retiring from his lifelong career in the collision industry, he went on to pursue another passion — his love for the outdoors. He had the pleasure of overseeing Mistletoe Plantation and a number of other hunting properties for the past 10 years.

He was a member of Briarwood Church of Christ.

Mr. Welsh was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, William Lee “Little Bill” Welsh.

Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Ellen Welsh; two daughters, Sommer Guedon and husband, Joseph, and Stacy Alexander and husband, Will; six grandchildren, Karlie Guedon, Piper Guedon, Will Alexander, Westin Alexander and William Wynn Alexander, all of Natchez, and Michael Welsh of Crystal Springs; two sisters, Sandra Crane of Natchez and Lynn Clark of Vidalia; one brother, Phillip Welsh and wife, Wilma, of Lawrenceburg, Tenn.; mother-in-law, Bonnie Skates; brothers-in-law, Mike Skates and wife, Sherry, of Natchez, and Billy Skates and wife, Lisa, of Madison;  and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Jamie Clement, Mike Skates, Ray Skates, Roy Stephenson, Kenny Spear, Bob Guedon and Obrey Rosonet.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.