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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Richard Victor Welton, who passed away
4on December 1, 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Richard Welton was born to Victor and Wanda
6(Wassell) Welton in Richfield on September 17, 1939; soon
7after graduating from Manual Training High School, he received
8orders to report to the Marine Corps Commandant in Washington,
9D.C. on June 18, 1957; he entered the U.S. Marine Corps at the
10rank of sergeant and was chosen to play in the President's U.S.
11Marine Band, becoming the band's youngest musician; he was
12especially proud of the many opportunities to play for state
13dinners at the White House; he entertained both foreign and
14domestic diplomats and even played at John F. Kennedy's
15inauguration; he married Marilyn Smith on September 14, 1963;
16and
 
17    WHEREAS, After his service, Richard Welton returned to
18Peoria and obtained his master barber license; he continued to
19barber throughout the time he worked at Keystone and Pabst;
20and
 
21    WHEREAS, Richard Welton was an accomplished saxophonist,
22clarinetist, and pianist; he played in his own band, the Midas

 

 

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1Touch, as well as in the Peoria Municipal Band, the Bill
2Hardesty brass, and the Chuck Cunningham Band and at the Heart
3of Illinois Fair; he also served as the choir director at Grace
4United Methodist Church for 25 years; and
 
5    WHEREAS, In his free time, Richard Welton enjoyed
6tinkering with cars and supporting his children and
7grandchildren by attending their sporting events and other
8activities; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Richard Welton was preceded in death by his
10parents; his wife; one brother; and two grandchildren, Daniel
11James Welton and Noah Nathaniel Welton; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Richard Welton is survived by his children,
13Richard Todd (Diane) Welton, Teresa Welton, Tammy (James)
14Zachman, and Tony Welton; his grandchildren, Drew (Christie)
15Zachman, Shawnie Zachman, Brice (Esther) Welton, James
16(Rebecca) Welton, Payton Welton, and Isabella Welton; his
17great-grandchildren, Lexi, Kylee, Tana, and Noelle; his half
18sister, Kethear Ray; his sister-in-law, Carol Smith; his
19brother-in-law, Buck Smith; and several nieces and nephews;
20therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

 

 

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1Richard Victor Welton and extend our sincere condolences to
2his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
3further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5presented to the family of Richard Welton as an expression of
6our deepest sympathy.