William J. Welch, Jr. BS ’69, JD ’75

10/01/2022

William J. Welch Jr. BS ’69, JD ’75, September 13, 2022, age 74. After graduation, Welch worked in accounting with the IRS during the day and attended Lewis & Clark Law School in the evening. Afterward, he attended NYU and became a tax partner at Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) for 17 years. Welch then launched his own private tax practice for loyal longtime clients for 27 years. He and his wife, Amy Welch BA ’70, MAT ’74, traveled the world, including a yearlong odyssey (1977–78), during which they sailed their 37-foot Islander, Nocturne, from Oregon to Tahiti and back—armed with a sextant, depth sounder, radio direction finder, and shortwave radio. Welch formed three charities in which he and his wife were active: Banderas Bay Charities, PEACEAnimals, and Amigos de La Cruz. All of these charities support the communities in and around the Bay of Banderas (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico).