Bill D. Welch

Welch, Bill D., passed away on August 12 surrounded by family and friends. Born on November 16, 1935, in Hartley, Iowa, Bill moved with his family to Spokane, Washington, during World War II and returned to Iowa, settling in Monona. Graduating from Monona High School in 1955, Bill was the school's class president, homecoming king, a football and baseball team member, played drums in the band, and sang in glee club. After high school, Bill attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he continued to play football, and served as president of the student council, a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, sophomore class president and president of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. It was at Coe College that Bill met the love of his life-Nancy Bros-to whom he was married for 65 years. Bill was a schoolteacher in Iowa for two years before moving to Bloomington, Minnesota, where he taught biology and physiology in the Edina Public Schools system for 34 years. He also coached several sports teams, many of which went on to state tournaments. As a testament to Bill's professionalism and popularity with students, he was recognized as Edina's Teacher of the Year in 1973. His summers were spent at the family lake place on Clearwater Lake, where he and his wife entertained endless streams of family and friends. At the lake, Bill skippered pontoons, sailboats, and speedboats for the enjoyment of others, held his own on the tennis court, and was known for his delicious popcorn for parties on the deck with family and friends. Bill's supportive disposition endeared him to his friends and the friends of his children, many of whom looked to him as a second "dad." A beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, Bill is survived by his children, Wendy Grim (Roger) and David Welch (Allie) and his four grandchildren, Matthew Grim (Jenna), and Jack, Joseph, and Brendan Welch, plus many nieces and nephews. Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, his brother Keith, his two sisters Hope and Jeanne, and his parents, Claire and Vera Welch. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, September 15, at Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church, 9920 Normandale Boulevard, Bloomington, Minnesota. Visitation with the family will be at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church, VEAP Food Bank, Allina Health Hospice Care, or donor's choice.

Tributes

Bill D. Welch

November 16, 1935 - August 12, 2025

Tributes

Bill D. Welch

November 16, 1935 - August 12, 2025

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