Wilfred Marvin Welch, Jr, 79 of Laurel, MS passed away Friday, February 7, 2025, at his residence in Laurel, MS. He was born Sunday, January 27, 1946, in Tylertown, Mississippi.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Mill Creek Methodist Church in Laurel. Bro. Jimmy Holder and Bill Myers will officiate.
Will lived a full life balance by adventure and family. In college, he kept a relentless schedule of college courses and extracurricular activities. He ran track for Southeastern Louisiana where, for a time, he held the state record for the mile run. His nights were divided between a steady load of coursework and moonlighting as the lead singer in a rock band. When leisure time was to be found he spent it quenching his thirst for competition and excitement by living 8 seconds at a time on the backs of bulls at rodeo events or tearing across dirt tracks in motocross races.
A patriot at heart, Will proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and continued his commitment in the Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG), standing ready to defend and protect. When he wasn’t serving, he found peace and contentment in the outdoors, a passion he enjoyed sharing with his sons. Above all, he was a dedicated father, coaching his children in sports and in life—instilling in them the same tenacity and love for life that defined him.
In the later years of life, Will found a life partner in his wife Anita. Together they reveled in life’s joys and endured its challenges and loss, until the lord called Anita home in May 2024.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Anita Jordan Welch; son, Charles Preston Welch; father, Wilfred Marvin Welch, Sr.; mother, Bessie E. Davis Welch; sisters, Peggy McDaniel and Betty Breeden.
Survivors include his sons, Wilfred "Trae" Marvin Welch, III (Brandi), Vincent Welch; grandchildren, Taylor Grace Pinson (Gage), Owen Brady Welch and Ava Claire Welch; nephew, a host of nieces and nephews.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com
