William "Bill" J. Welcome

William “Bill” Joseph Welcome, forty-three-year resident of Holyoke and beloved husband of Ruth Ann (Salvas) Welcome, who predeceased him in 1995, passed away peacefully at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at the age of 76.
William was born on January 2, 1946, in Springfield, MA, son of William F. and Stella (Duda) Welcome.
He was raised and educated in Springfield and was a graduate of Cathedral High School and would later attend American International College.
William was a child counselor for many years at Brightside for Families in West Springfield, where he mentored many at risk youth.
He was an avid soccer coach within the Western Mass community for over three or four decades coaching the spring and summer Pioneer Valley League, the Holyoke Youth Soccer League and at South Hadley High School. These coaching years were a backbone for many relationships that have lasted a lifetime.
His greatest passion was in the role of “Bapa” watching his grandchildren both near and far. He could have not been a prouder grandparent, sharing the kids’ latest accomplishments with joy.
William is survived by his two children, William E. Welcome and his wife Tammy of South Hadley and Jennifer Schmude and her husband Dennis of Kingwood, TX and by his beloved grandchildren, Katelyn and Megan Schmude, Nicholas and William Lauder and Johnathan Welcome.
He was a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Monday, August 8, at 11 a.m. at St. Rose De Lima Cemetery, 49 Olsen St., Chicopee, for William’s committal service and burial. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holyoke, 70 Nick Cosmos Way, Holyoke, MA 01040. For online condolences please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com