wfn.org | Memorial services planned for W.A. Welsh

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

December 16, 1996
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org
                        
96b-100

   DALLAS (DNS) -- The Rev. W.A. Welsh, retired president of Christian
Board of Publication and a prominent Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
leader, died Dec. 12. He recently had been diagnosed with acute leukemia.

   Memorial services were Dec. 16 at East Dallas Christian Church. Interested
persons are encouraged to send memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, to the W.A.
Welsh Scholarship Fund at Lexington (Ky.) Theological Seminary. 

   In addition to heading the Disciples' publishing operation from 1974 to
1982,
the 79-year-old Fort Worth native had a distinguished career as a seminary
president, pastor and educator. 

   Welsh was president of Lexington (Ky.) Theological Seminary from 1965-1973.
^From 1950-1965 he was pastor of East Dallas Christian Church. The
church, with a membership of 4,000, was the largest Disciples congregation in
the
United States at that time. 

   Welsh also taught at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth; Perkins School
of Theology, Dallas; and Union Theological Seminary, New York City.

   He earned bachelor of arts (1938) and bachelor of divinity (1941) degrees
from TCU and Brite Divinity School, Fort Worth. Welsh did post-graduate study
at Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University in New York City, and
held honorary degrees from Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky., and TCU.

   The church leader was president of the former International Convention of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). While in Texas he was president of
the
state's Convention of Christian Churches and several Dallas community
organizations.

   Survivors include his spouse, Billie Ruth, and three sons: the Rev. Robert
K.
Welsh, Indianapolis; the Rev. David L. Welsh, Wilson, N.C.; and James Welsh,
Tulsa, Okla. Robert Welsh is associate general minister and president of
Church
Finance Council.

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