Bill Welker

ADVANCE, Mo. — William A. "Bill" Welker, 84, of Advance died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 24, 1924, in Gideon, Mo., son of Conder and Ethel Allen Welker. He and Mary Henson were married April 29, 1967, in Oran, Mo. She died Jan. 1, 2007.

Welker was a highly decorated U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving from Jan. 9, 1943, to Dec. 6, 1945.

He was a member of VFW Post 3838. He worked for Day Transfer more than 50 years.

Survivors include a son, Jimmie Henson of Oran; two daughters, Sharon "Sam" Elliott and Shirley McClard of Jackson; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a sister.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ed Carter officiating. Burial will be in Gravel Hill Cemetery near Aquilla, Mo., with military rites by Missouri Honors Team.