Willard “Willie” Welch
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Willard “Willie” Welch, age 70, of Belton, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Willie experienced a sudden and massive cardiac event. He was thankfully surrounded by his loving family and friends in the end.
Willie was born March 8, 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of Robert Lee Welch and Evelyn Hamilton. Growing up, Willie was one of four children including BJ, Linda, and Dorothy Ann.
After high school Willie served his country in the United States Navy for four years. He found his career in construction for over 20 years working with the Heavy Construction Laborers’ Local 663, where he retired in 2010. Willie spent the rest of his years enjoying life with friends and family.
Willie was joined in marriage to Joann Buselt on December 19, 1981, just a few months after meeting at a country bar in south Kansas City, MO. Together Willie and Joann were blessed with two sons, Neil and Kyle, and two grandsons. Willie was a proud Navy veteran who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing pranks, and just driving around visiting with friends and family whenever he got the chance.
Willie is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Evelyn Welch; brother “BJ” Welch (Linda); and two sisters, Linda Lee Spencer and Dorothy Ann Turnell (Mike).
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Joann Welch; two sons, Neil and Kyle, daughters-in-law Eunhwa and Candace; grandchildren Jayden and Logan; brothers-in-law Thomas Buselt, Ed Buselt, and Mike Turnell; and sisters-in-law Linda Welch and Joan Buselt. Willie also has numerous nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews and great-great nieces/nephews.
Visitation will begin at 2pm, on Thursday, June 12, 2025, followed by a short service at 3pm at Heartland Cremation & Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd Raytown, MO 64133. Willie will be laid to rest at a later date at the Leavenworth National Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial contributions may be given to Disabled American Veterans, 1109 MO-7, Pleasant Hill, Missouri 64080, or to a charity of your choice.
Willie was a pleasure to know and we have been friends for over 50 years and I will miss him greatly. RIP brother 🙏
I will miss you Willard, my dearest friend. Who will I eat breakfast with, or bbq with, or fix decks with. We never got to fish as much as we said we would. Thank goodness you were a blast to hangout with, funny, a prankster and a social media diva(I would have never guessed😆).
Rest in peace my friend.
Willard was the first love of my life. We have continued to be very good friends through all the years. Love you Willard and you will be so missed. R.I.P. My dear friend.
You never changed your whole life. You were always a blast to hang around with and one of the biggest prankster ever. A great guy Welch, RIP my friend.
I just found this out today. This hurts my heart. He was such a good and kind soul. We were just texting not too long ago about life. He would always message me to tell me when it’s mushroom season. He knew how much I love to hunt Morels to be exact. He will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Willie my brother in law was always there for me, to take me to the doctor to the airport or to get my car fixed. He left BBQ on my doorstep countless times. Loved talking to him he had common sense knowledge. I will miss him. Prayers from Tom.