Laurel Welsh

Born Bonnie Laurel Welsh, Laurel passed away at the Westmore Senior Living nursing home Monday, November 24th at the age of 83 in Fort Worth, Texas. Laurel was born in Athens, Texas in Henderson County. Her parents were Robert Herschel Ledbetter and Dorothy Wyche Ledbetter.

Laurel graduated from Athens High School in 1960, and from the University of North Texas in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Laurel’s first teaching job was in Corpus Christi, Texas. She taught in Corpus until her application to join the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Pacific was accepted. Laurel wanted to see the world and to educate the children of American servicemen and women stationed at military installations in the Pacific theater.

Laurel moved to Okinawa, Japan, in 1965 where she met her future husband William Brendan “Bill” Welsh. Laurel and Bill were married in Okinawa in 1966. Bill worked at a 3-letter federal government agency and was stationed around the world. Laurel lived her dream and taught in Taipei, Taiwan, Upper Heyford England, Monrovia Liberia, and Sterling, Virginia. Laurel left teaching and spent the final 10 years of her career as a customer service representative for the United Services Automobile Association (USAA). Laurel retired in 1996 and she and Bill retired to Granbury, Texas in 1998.

Laurel enjoyed bible study, exercise, playing bridge, gardening, and any social events with her many friends. Laurel never met a stranger. Laurel was preceded in death by her parents Robert Herschel Ledbetter and Dorothy Wyche Ledbetter, her sister Frances Welch and brother-in-law James Welch, and her husband Bill Welsh and her son Brendan Welsh. Laurel is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson Mark, Christina, & Connor Welsh, as well as daughter-in-law Carol and grand-children PJ, Colleen, Molly, and Bridget Welsh.

Services will be held at 11am, Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Acton Methodist Church 3433 Fall Creek Hwy, Granbury, TX 76049.