William "Bill" E. Welte

William E. “Bill” Welte, 79, of Claremore, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Brookdale Care Facility in Claremore, Oklahoma.



Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 22nd at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Grand Island with the Father Robert Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Ansley, NE Cemetery following the service. The family will greet friends from 9am to 10am prior to the service in the St. Stephen’s Parish Hall. Memorials are suggested to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Grand Island or the Ansley EMT’s.

Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.



William E. “Bill” Welte was born September 29, 1938 in Ansley, NE to Eugene and Margaret (Anderson) Welte. He received his early education at Ansley Public Schools. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, his freshman year, to play football as a walk-on. Bill’s sophomore year, he transferred to Kearney State Teacher’s College (now UNK) and enjoyed three years of decorated football play. Bill was honored as “All-NCC Defensive Center” and was described in a newspaper article as “A crackerjack linebacker. So valuable is the husky Welte, that he plays with both the offensive and defensive units. A football natural!” He was part of the 1958 undefeated ball club at Kearney State Teacher’s College. After college football, Bill enjoyed playing men’s fast pitch softball at the Platt Duetsche Society in Grand Island for many years.



Bill was united in marriage to Nancy Myers in 1959. To this union three daughters were born; Elizabeth (Libi), Lori and Tracy. They made their home in Grand Island for seventeen years. Although they divorced in 1977, Bill and Nancy remained friends. Bill later married Esther Morrison and they made their home in Claremore Oklahoma for over 30 years.



Bill and Esther owned and operated Tacora Mart, Bait and Tackle Store, at Lake Oolagah in Oklahoma for 16 years. Prior to this, Bill was in management and sales with Beaver Log Homes; and spent many years with the Green Bear shops in Grand Island.



Survivors include Bill’s first wife, Nancy. His daughters, Libi (Steve) Upshaw of Claremore, Ok; Lori Welte of Grand Island; Tracy (Terry) Babcock of Grand Island; and four step-children. His grand-daughter, Mallory (Gabe) Cantrell of Claremore, Ok. His sister, Marjean Grant of Ansley. His two half-sisters Dolleen Muths and Doreen Hoffman. His nieces, Listy, Karmela, Donelle, Stacey and his nephew Todd.



Bill was preceded in death by: His parents Eugene and Margaret (Anderson) Welte. His step-mother, Dorothy Welte. His wife Esther; and his brother-in-law, Richard Grant.