Edgar B. Welch

WINSTON SALEM- Ed Welch, 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 under the expert and loving care of the staff at the Hospice & Palliative Care Center. Ed was born in Winston-Salem, to Gray (GG) Welch and Vera Poe Watkins where he lived his whole life. Ed was a passionate man with an insatiable sense of adventure. His father started Royal Cake Company in 1926 and ultimately gave all of his children part ownership of the company. Ed was employed in the role of Vice President. He was a true Renaissance man who liked nothing more than sharing his penchant for adventure with anyone who was interested. He was a pilot engaged in private and commercial flying in the 1950's and had his own plane until the late 90's when his health became an issue. Ed was also a consummate sports car enthusiast who prompted him and three of his friends Ed Alexander, George Arnold and Hooper Johnson, to begin searching for a suitable race track location to satisfy their need for speed. Through the help of George Arnold and his wife Preston Foote, they found the perfect site just across the state line from Milton, NC on 1200 acres of rolling farmland belonging to the Foote family. Ed Kemm joined the group in 1956 and furnished much-needed capital for Sports Car Enterprises Inc. and the VIR track was paved and opened in 1957. The track was reopened in 2000 by New Yorker Harvey Siegel using a 'country club' model. Ed was extremely loving and proud of his wonderful and devoted wife of 40 years Brenda Helsabeck Welch, his three children, Deirdre Hudgins and her husband Bill, of Winston-Salem, NC, Drew Welch of Alma, Colorado, Billy Welch and his wife Kelly and his two grandchildren Reece and Paige of Advance, NC. He is also survived by his niece Brenda Moser and husband Gray, of Winston-Salem, NC as well as many nieces, nephews and other friends. The Funeral Service will be held in the chapel at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home on 141 Smith Edwards Road in Kernersville, NC 27284 at 11:00 am on Friday August 9th with Pastor Don Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Kernersville Seventh-day Adventist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103 or the Kernersville Seventh-day Adventist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 249, Kernersville, NC 27285. The family of Edgar Bernard Welch wishes to thank the many friends and family as well as the numerous healthcare professionals at Forsyth Hospital and Hospice and Palliative Care for their assistance in making the last days of Ed's life as special and pleasant as they could be. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Visitation:
There is no stated visitation.

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