William Terry Welch III

William “Terry” Welch III, age 80, of Johnson City, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Brookdale, Colonial Heights surrounded by family.

Terry was born to Mary Hughes Welch and William Terry Welch II in Los Angeles, CA, September 23, 1944. At the time of Terry’s birth, his dad was deployed in the Pacific on active naval duty during WWII. Terry spent his early childhood in Santa Rosa, CA. At the age of nine, his family moved to Mansfield, OH, where he graduated high school. Terry was awarded a scholarship and studied Electrical Engineering at Ohio State University. He served in the United States Army from 1966-1968. After returning from active duty, Terry worked in telecommunications, retiring from Brightspeed after 42 years of service.

He served as a Deacon and Elder in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Most recently, he was a member of Jonesborough Presbyterian Church where he served on the Stewardship & Finance Ministry Team and Missions Ministry Team. He was a member of the Chancel Choir.

Terry’s best friend, Nick White, got him started in both amateur radio and model railroading in Junior High School. Both became lifelong passions. Additionally, Terry was an avid caver and loved to hike or just take long walks in local parks or our subdivision.

In the community, Terry served as Chair of the Board of Directors for Contact Ministries and President of the Board of Directors for Family Promise. Terry was awarded the 2013 Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award for Washington County at a banquet in Nashville, TN. Terry loved to travel. In addition to domestic travel, he and Karen toured Ireland and Italy. They did river cruises on the Rhine and Danube Rivers. They did the “Band of Brothers” tour in Europe; and participated in a mission trip to Mexico, and two medical mission trips to the Amazon.

In addition to his parents, Terry was predeceased by Nick White, his best friend, while Terry was in college.

Terry loved his family and was a wonderful husband and father. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Karen Welch; son, Andrew Welch (Natalie), Ocean Isle Beach, NC; daughter, Joanna Cyrier (Steve), Jonesborough; step-son, John Johnson, Johnson City; step-daughter, Jennifer Fraizar (Miykael), Kennesaw, GA; granddaughters Ryleigh Cyrier and Mika Fraizar; sister Betsy Cebular (Phillip), Chardon, OH; sister-in-law, Mary Bray, Jonesborough; brother-in-law, Michael Bray, (Sompong), Yorktown, VA; step-sister, Marguerite Granberry (John), Tucson, AZ; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Keith Cook, Johnson City Internal Medicine; and all the staff at Brookdale, Colonial Heights, for providing outstanding care for Terry.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2319 Brown’s Mill Road, #D6, Johnson City, TN 37604, or Jonesborough Presbyterian Church Missions Ministry Team, P.O. Box 383, Jonesborough, TN 37659.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 pm on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Jonesborough Presbyterian Church, 128 W. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN. A funeral service will follow at 4 pm with Rev. Kaye Florence officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at the Department of Veterans Affairs Mountain Home National Cemetery.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services,

2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is honored to serve the Welch family.

(423) 282-1521.