Mr. Byron Wendell Welch 97 of LaFayette passed away December 31, 2015 at the LaFayette Extended Care. Funeral services will be held on Sunday January 3, 2016 at 2PM at the Pleasant Grove Congregational Christian Church with burial in the church cemetery with Military Honors, the Rev. Ricky Cummings officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Sunday from 1PM until 2PM prior to the service. Professional services provided by Jeff Jones Funeral Home of LaFayette, AL. www.jeffjonesfuneralhome.com

Mr. Welch was born September 16, 1918 in Chambers County, the oldest of 12 children of the late Russell Murphy Welch and the late Maggie Sims Welch. He served in the US Army during World War II from April 22, 1941 until August 3, 1945, his combat honors include the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with 1 bronze star, European Africian Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 bronze star, American Defense Service Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. He served on the Board of Directors of Farmers And Merchants Bank, a former member of the LaFayette Rotary Club, was one of the oldest members of the Pleasant Grove Congregational Christian Church and owned and operated East Alabama Lumber Company for over 50 years.

Survivors are his daughter Linda Harmon of LaFayette, Al., son Wayne Welch of Five Points, Al., 3 sisters Jean Mitcham of LaFayette, Al., Nell Mitchell of Lanett, Al., DeLene Tassin of Slidell, La., 2 brothers Bruce (Margie) Welch of LaFayette, Al., Russell Welch of LaFayette, Al., 5 grandchildren Wendell (Lisa) Harmon, Alan Harmon, Amy Welch, Michelle Welch, and Donnie Wayne Welch and 6 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruby Boyd Welch, son Thomas Gregory Welch, and 2 grandsons Thomas Christopher Welch and Bradley Byron Welch.