Julius "Buster" Welch

Julius "Buster" Welch, 87, of Ward, Ark., went to be with the Lord Nov. 17, 2017. He served in the Army during the Korean War. After being discharged from the Army, he served in the Marines Active Reserve. Julius retired from Western Electric Government System. After retirement, he and Ozell owned and operated Welch's Grocery Store in Ward. He was a member of the Ward First Baptist Church for 35 years, and a volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital for 10 years. Julius is survived by one son, Jerrel (Connie) Welch of North Carolina; one daughter, Paula Koch of Ward; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Ivan (Pat) Welch of Beebe; and two sisters, Sue Menser of Kensett and Margaret Herbert of Beebe. He was preceded in death by his wife Ozell, son Jimmy, parents Dee and Nan Welch, two brothers, Billy and Wayne Welch, and one sister, Evelyn Nick. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. Funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home. www.smithfamilycares.com.