James Welch II

James William Welch, II, affectionately known as “Bill”, “Billy”, and “Jim” to family and friends, left us to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the afternoon of August 29, 2022.

Bill was born in Gulfport, MS.  While growing up, he traveled and lived throughout the US with his family (Dad was in the Navy).  Bill lived in the states of Mississippi, Florida, California, Illinois, South Carolina, and Rhode Island, before returning to Mississippi at age 18 to spend the rest of his life.  Bill married his high-school sweetheart, our beloved ex-in-law, Pat Schiller Neikirk, in Rhode Island, and they had one child, Marguerite Julia (Julie) Welch Brander.

In grammar school in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Bill was selected to be on the school’s nationally recognized School Boy Patrol Drill Team that paraded and competed in Washington, DC.  In high-school, Bill was an avid and outstanding weight-lifter, and, as a sophomore, threw the Shot-Put for the Long Beach High School Track Team.  Bill went on to complete a BA Degree in Marketing from the University of Southern Mississippi, and was a licensed Master Electrician.  Bill worked at Southern Bell Telephone, Burroughs Computers, and Keesler Air Force Base, among other places and companies.  Bill loved discussing and repairing residential electrical systems; watching Korean movies; bicycling and sailing with his brother;  building computers, especially with his son-in-law Randy Brander; and discussing politics and righteous government policies, especially with his niece, Cynthia Leigh Welch. Bill was a man of many talents.  He lived the last 29 years of his life at his home in Perry County, MS, making frequent trips to the Coast to spend time with family.

Two of the most memorable aspects of Bill’s personality were his extraordinary courage and his steadfastness for standing-up for things he believed in.  While growing up, these personality traits caused Bill to frequently become a leader in his sets of friends.  On frequent occasions in early life he caused many would-be bullies to reconsider, or regret, their actions.  For his three younger siblings, in their many moves to new neighborhoods, Bill’s courage and steadfastness helped them acclimate quickly to their new communities.  Bill bore the brunt of these transitions with a natural grace, never realizing his contributions, but his siblings did.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Welch Brander; his Mom and Dad, Norma (Pum) Reinike Welch and James William Welch, Sr.; his maternal grandparents, Dorcas Panter Reinike and Charles Reinike; his paternal grandparents, Marguerite (Stephens) Welch, Naomi Welch, and Robert “Boley” Welch; his aunts and uncles, Frances and Felix Bertucci Sr., Marguerite “Gete” and Earl Cuave; Stephanie and Robert Bass, Sr.; Nancy Spayde; his brother-in-law, James Townsend; his cousins, Sean Spayde, Craig Spayde; and cousin-in-law Debbie Spayde.

Bill will be greatly missed by his family. He leaves behind his brother, Dr. Charles “Bob” (and Terry) Welch; his sister, Tommi Townsend (and Dr. James “Jimmy”) Baylot; his sister, Melinda Ann (and Howard “Joe”) Durkee; his son-in-law, Randall Brander; his niece, Cynthia Welch; his nephew, Joshua Welch and daughter, Ryan; his niece, Dr. Amy (and Dr. Anthony “Tony”) Bednar and their daughters, Elizabeth and Addison; and his niece, Meggie (and Travis) Edwards and their daughter, Taylor; cousins, Earlene Cuave, Cindy (Cuave) Hooker, Felix Bertucci, Jr., Jeannine Sanders, Robert Bass, David Bass, Stephen Bass, Jim Bass, John Bass, Ricky Spayde, and Sue Hoffman; his uncle, Bobby Spayde; and many other cousins.

We thank our friends and family who provided food and support to us during this challenging time.  This includes especially Earlene Cuave, Janet Gibson, Cindy Hooker, Bobby Spayde, Carolyn Castanado, and Robert Bass.

We especially thank the staff of the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store in Wiggins, MS for the extraordinary help and care they provided our Brother during the last minutes of his life, and us afterwards.  These efforts made us realize again how wonderful people are.

There will be graveside services at Long Beach Cemetery at 11:00 on Saturday, September 3, 2022, followed by a reception at Riemann Funeral Home on Commission Rd., Long Beach, MS from 11:30 to 1:00.  Pall Bearers will be Robert Bass, David Bass, Stephen Bass, Jim Bass, Joshua Welch, and Travis Edwards.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com