Roy C. Welker, 58, of Sparta passed away Thursday, November 6, 2008 in his home.  He was born on September 30, 1950 to Albert and Irma (Martin) Welker in Racine, Wisconsin. He grew up in Burlington, WI and graduated from Burlington High School in 1969.  He worked at Nestle in Burlington.

     He married the former Valerie Hall on July 15, 1972 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Burlington.  After marriage they lived in Rochester, WI and then moved to Honey Creek.  He worked for Mueller Pipeline. They moved to Evansville, WI in January, 1983.  He then worked for Wisconsin Gas and then We Energy.  They moved to Summit Ridge rural Norwalk in November of  1987.  Then they moved to the Town of Sparta in July of 1995.  He retired from We Energy in 2006 after working there for 25 years.  He has worked for Inter-Con Pipe Contractors for the past year.

     He was a member of the Pipefitters Union and a member of the Sparta First Church of the Nazarene.  He had served as Pastor for 3 years at the Church of God in Norwalk.

     He is survived by his wife, Valerie J. Welker, of Sparta; a son, Christopher J. Welker of Sparta; daughters, Angela F.(Thomas) Fleming of La Crosse, Billie J. (Kieth) Charles of La Crosse, and Natalie J. Welker of Sparta; grandchildren, Emily J. Welker (Emmy Lou), Alissa J. Welker (Jo-Jo), Drake C. Welker (Duck), Xavier A. Zwiefel (George), Iris A. Charles (Flower), Myra A. Charles (Millie), and Mariah Bowen (Maria); brothers, Albert (Deborah) Welker of West Virginia, Byron Welker of Missouri, Lee (Diane) Welker of Burlington, and Randy (Melanie) Welker of Texas;  sisters, Laura (Gary) Sheppard of Missouri and Rose (Steve) Johnson of Texas.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert N. and Irma B. Welker, Sr.; and a sister, Linda Welker.

     Memorial services will Tuesday at the Sparta First Church of the Nazarene at 11 a.m.. with Pastor Curt Blair officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Angelo.

     Visitation with viewing will be at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta on Monday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

     Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.