Jimmy Wayne "Jake" Welch

Jimmy Wayne “Jake” Welch

Jimmy Wayne “Jake” Welch, 82, of Princeton WV, passed away peacefully in his home on August 3, 2023. Jimmy was born August 11, 1940, in McComas, WV to Charles Glen Walsh and Nora Lee Wolfrey Walsh. He was manager of the Credit Bureau of the two Virginias until 2002. Jimmy retired in 2023 from his service as long-time Executive Director of the Credit Bureau Foundation of the Two Virginias, Inc. that awards scholarships to students and grants to education-related organizations. Jimmy also served on the Board of Directors of the Green Valley-Glenwood Public Service District for many years. Jimmy greatly enjoyed golf and was a member of the Princeton Elks Lodge for 33 years until 2022.   

Jimmy is survived by his wife Marsha Steed-Welch of seven years; daughter Melissa Welch-Ross, and her husband Joe Ross of Fairfax, VA; and grandson, James. Jimmy is also survived by his brother Glen Welch and wife Sylvia, and sister Donna (and husband, late Donald “Duke” Heisterman); stepsons Stu Steed (wife Monica, children Morgan, Ben, Tyler, and Davis) and Bill Steed (wife Holly, children Megan, Dylan, and Nicole); and stepbrother Jimmy Winston, Fairlea/Lewisburg (and late wife, Vonna).

Jimmy was preceded in death by wife Hazel Irene “Dottie” Brady Welch. He is also preceded by siblings David Lee, Florence Taylor, Virginia Hamilton, Rosie Dillon, Catherine Worley, Dorothy Cardwell, Rachel Kennett, and Mary Ruth Freeman, and stepmother Bessie Winston Walsh.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 7, 2023, at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home with Speaker Sharon Wellman officiating. A private committal service will be held at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, WV where Joe Ross, James Ross, Stu Steed, Drew Burnopp, and Kevin Bishop will serve as pallbearers. Family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Welch family.