Leonard Wayne Welch age 86, passed away December 24, 2022, at Henderson Health & Rehabilitation Center.
He was born January 26, 1936, in Iuka, MS the son of the late Walter Lee and Maggie Sanders Welch. He grew up and attended school in Iuka. In his youth he drove a log truck, dug water wells, and worked in a hosiery mill in MS.
He then began working at Genesco in MS., soon transferred to Denville, KY, then Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. During his time in Pennsylvania, he met David Sterling who offered him a job at Sterling Last (now Quality Manufacturing) in Henderson, in 1971, as Plant Manager. He retired in 2002 after thirty years with them.
He married Ruth McDougal on March 23, 1968. Ruth preceded him on February 21, 2018.
He enjoyed fishing, bird hunting and traveling, he loved his family and his church family at Sanford Hill Baptist Church.
Mr. Welch is survived by three sons, Brian Lee Welch (Brandi) of Henderson, Ricky W. Welch (Joanna) of Finger and David Gregory (Sherry) of Savannah; a daughter, Sharon Godbey (Jeff) of Waynesburg, KY; ten grandchildren: Drew (Amanda) Gregory, Dirk (Dawn) Gregory, Jade (Brett) Embrey, Chad (Janie) Godbey, Kirk Godbey, Tyler (Brooke) Welch, Morgan (Corey) Cooper, Blake Jaggers, Brett Welch and Bradley Holloway; fifteen great grandchildren; a brother, Bobby Welch of Iuka and a sister, Lavern Walker of Taylorsville, MS; and his roommate, Bobby Earl Smith of Henderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ruth McDougal Welch in 2018, five brothers, Clinton Welch, Leroy Welch, Jimmy Welch, Paul Milford Welch and Donald Welch and a great grandchild, Izzy Godbey.
Funeral services will be 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Shackelford Funeral Directors- Crook Ave. Chapel with Ralph Culp officiating. Burial will take place the following day at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Iuka, MS.
The family will receive friends at Crook Ave. Chapel on Tuesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM service time.
Shackelford Funeral Directors
