William Welker

William Lynn Welker, 63, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at his home in Rancho Cordova, Calif.

He was born in Cape Girardeau, son of the late William Lynn and Hettie Delyle Brown Welker.

Welker enjoyed practicing workers' compensation law in Fort Myers, Fla., more than 20 years before he was forced to close his practice several years ago because of illness.

He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri and a juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1984, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida in 1988, the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida in 1990.

Survivors include his mother of Estero, Fla.; his wife, Jeanne Welker of Rancho Cordova; a daughter, Stacy Tucker of Cameron, N.C.; a sister, Patricia Bernalewski of Naples, Fla.; a brother, John Welker of Arnold, Mo.; two nieces, Nicole Hampton of Hilliard, Ohio, and Emily Hampton of Warwick, R.I.; and two stepsons, Travis and Todd Thumm of San Francisco.

A memorial service will be at a later date.

Announcement courtesy of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.