William Charles Wellisch

William Charles Wellisch (Bill) crossed into the spirit world on 31 December 2024. He had struggled with problems from heart disease for several years. He received awesome care the past three months from his wife, his children, and the wonderful employees of Symbii Home Health and Hospice from the Preston, Idaho office.
Bill was born in Boise, Idaho. He is the second son of Gilbert and Maybelle Wellisch. At the time of his birth his father was serving in the United States Air Force. He was in Brazil, flying a C-47 cargo plane and training other pilots.
The family moved about every three years. Some of the places he lived growing up are California, Southern Japan, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, New York, and Idaho. The first time he traveled to Ashiya, Japan was in 1949.His mother, a brother, and a sister traveled by boat on the U.S. Army Transport General Hugh J. Gaffey. It took 13 days. The second trip to Japan was in 1956. The family of five children flew by commercial airlines.
Bill was strong at a young age and could lift his body up over and out of his bed even before he could walk. After learning to walk, he learned to use a screwdriver and loosened all the doorknobs in their house.
He served in the Western Canadian Mission for two years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning home he was drafted into the United States Army. He served for three years. He was an Air Traffic Controller stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Bill returned home to be with his family in Sebastopol, California. The President of the Santa Rosa Stake called him to be the Chairman of the M-Men and Gleaners. Shortly after, he was introduced to the newly called Co-Chairman, Diane Hiatt. Planning meetings turned into dates, then courtship, and marriage. They were sealed in the Oakland Temple on 1 July 1972.
He worked hard to support his family. Some of his jobs included a machinist, a backhoe operator, concrete work, installing cultured marble in bathrooms and kitchens, and carpentry. He was a self-employed carpenter, including building four different homes for his family.
Bill and Diane (Dee-dee) are the parents of twelve children. As a father he was joyful with the birth of each child. He was preceded in death by his son Joseph Albert Wellisch (1986-1988). His eleven living children are:
Kristy (Stacy) Gorrell, Buhl, Idaho
Rebekah Childers, Twin Falls, Idaho
William (Alicia) Wellisch, Santa Rosa, California
John (Bailee) Wellisch, Moore, Idaho
Mona (Jeff) Laybourne, Sandpoint, Idaho
Louisa (Aaron) Crockett, Lewiston, Utah
Chester (Sariah) Wellisch, Mesa, Arizona
Dorine (Mike) Elliott, Perry, Utah
Irene (Hutch) Vogl, Eagle Mountain, Utah
Robert Levi (Samantha) Wellisch, Meridian, Idaho
Lilly (Sebastian) Wellisch, Pocatello, Idaho
His descendants also include 40 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.
In 2006, Bill had the honor of running for the office of Lieutenant Governor for the State of Idaho, as a Constitution Party candidate. He enjoyed sharing his patriotism and political views with his family, friends, and citizens of Idaho.
He worshipped God, loved his family, and served his country honorably.
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