Samuel Riley Welch's Obituary
SAMUEL RILEY WELCH
January 17, 1925 - December 2, 2022
Resident of Hayward
Samuel Riley Welch, age 97, passed from Eden Hospital and into the arms of his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, December 2, 2022.
Sam was born in Rose, Oklahoma and was very proud to be Native American and on the Cherokee Tribal Roll. He was drafted into the military in 1943 where he served in WWII in the 13th Armored Division, and was awarded a Bronze Star for “Bravery in Action”. He was honorably discharged in 1946, and he moved to California where he met the love of his life, Willie Marie, to whom he was married for 62 years until her passing in 2011. Samuel worked for Smith Machine from 1966 to 1985, when his boss retired. Sam opened his own business at that time called Welch Machine Shop, and worked hard until he retired in 2003 at age 78. He spent many of his retired years caring lovingly for his ailing wife until her passing, working in his yard, and helping his family in any way he could. He also enjoyed listening to sermons, gospel music, country & western music, as well as watching sports with his great-grandson Sam (named after him) and playing with his great-granddaughter, Abby.
Sam (better known by some as “Gene”) was very strong, hardworking, reliable, and honest. He trusted the Lord Jesus completely. He was the wise and greatly respected patriarch of his family. He never missed an opportunity to make someone laugh, and was an amazing teller of jokes and stories. He was quick-witted and funny right up to the end of his life, even making the nurses laugh and smile when he arrived at the hospital on his last day. In the last week of his life, he said many times that his greatest wish was for all of his family and friends to be saved and to stay close to the Lord so that “we can all be together again someday”, and that he was “very ready to see Jesus, and see my precious sweetie wife again when the Lord calls me Home”.
He is survived by his daughter, Janice Welch, his granddaughter and caregiver Jennifer James, and many other grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Marie, his son Samuel Gene, his stepchildren Bill, Jeanie, and Donnie, and all of his siblings.
Family and Friends are welcome to attend his visitation, funeral, and burial services. For information on the location, date, and time of these events, please email Jennifer at: [email protected]
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