RAYMOND BUEL WELCH SR.

Raymond Buel Welch Sr., 93, of San Angelo, passed away in a local nursing home. Visitation for Raymond will be held at 6 to 7 PM, Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at the Robert Massie Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, September 23, 2004 at Belvedere Cemetery. Pastor Jim Wilkerson Jr. of the Hillcrest Baptist Church will be officiating. Arrangements are made by Robert Massie Funeral Home. Raymond was born October 12, 1910 in Bakersfield, California. He was the only child of Ira Newton Welch and Elizabeth Dorothy Rutledge. Raymond (also known as Bull) and his Dad started the "Welch Transfer and Storage" moving business back in the early 1930s. The company is still in existence today with the same name. Raymond was also co-owner of the Bob Ellis Gym in San Angelo. He admired physical strength and was known as a San Angelo strong man. He lived hard and his generosity towards his friends as strong as his grip. Raymond was also a pilot instructor for many years. Raymond married Alice Mae Womble in 1928 and they had three children. In 1971 he married Bess Anice Robertson of San Angelo. Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Alice Mae, a son Raymond Buel Welch Jr, and Bess Anice. He is survived by a daughter Pat Gustin of San Angelo, a son James Welch of Mexico, eleven Grandchildren and seventeen Great Grandchildren.