Bing Welch

RICHMOND, Ind. – Bing Welch, age 77, of Richmond, died Friday, January 27, 2012, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born July 20, 1934, in Tazwell, Tenn., to Lon and Minnie Treece Welch, Bing was a 1952 graduate of Anderson High School and attended the University of Tennessee. He was employed at Guide-Lamp Division in Anderson, Ind., as a tool design apprentice. Bing was a U. S. Army veteran, having served 2 years and 15 months in Korea with the 40th Armor Division. After his military service he moved to Richmond, where he was employed by ALCOA as a tool designer. Two years later he traveled as a technical service representative with ALCOA and transferred to Asheville, N.C., as an in-house service representative for Gerber Baby Food, then to Louisville, Ky., as an area technical service representative. In 1969 he transferred back to ALCOA in Richmond as a new products engineer. In 1978 he was put into new products as a development engineer, working with new plastics soft- drink bottles and the application for a new metal closure. Bing worked with Dayton Tool and Die in the design of the ring on the pull-tab soft-drinks and received many patents while at ALCOA. In 1980 he received the title of senior packaging engineer. The last 15 years he served as a corporate technical representative with ALCOA Closure Division in product liability law suits. He traveled the country handling technical law suits. Bing retired from ALCOA after 37 years and was a member of the 25-Year Club. In the mid 70’s, Bing got involved in politics and was appointed by the Republican Committee to fill the vacant At-Large position for two years. He has been a Richmond City Councilman for District 5 for 22 years. He was appointed to many city boards including president of Richmond City Council, chairman of Richmond Power and Light, Park Board liaison, and was a member of the Corridor North Commission to develop the planning of U.S. 27 North. Bing also worked with Meijer Corp. on new store development. He loved his community and served it with leadership, honesty, commitment, and integrity. He and his wife formed the Concerned Citizen Coalition to protect Richmond Power and Light. Bing helped start the Jerry Lawrence Memorial Golf Outing. He loved the game of golf and played on leagues with his friends. Bing loved God, family, community, his country and nature. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Patricia Ann Michael Welch, to whom he was married May 29, 1954; daughter, Kristi Welch (David) Bowen of Mason, Ohio; son, Brian (Rebecca) Welch of Smithfield, Ky.; four grandchildren, Morgan Bowen and Blaine Bowen of Mason, Ohio, and Jessica Welch and Nathan Welch of Smithfield, Ky.; brother-in-law, Tony (Elaine) Michael of Richmond; nieces, Kelli Michael of Toledo, Ohio, and Karen Michael (Brian) Newman of Plainfield, Ind.; great-nephew, Brandon Newman; aunts, uncles, and cousins of Speedwell, Tenn.; many friends; and his District 5 constituents. Visitation for Bing Welch will be from 4 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Father Todd Riebe and Rev. Ronnie Baker officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery with military honors by the Wayne County Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made to: American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813, or American Heart Association/Stroke Association, Midwest Affiliate, Memorials & Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674, or HELP the Animals, 2101 West Main St., Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

Bing Welch

July 20, 1934 - January 27, 2012