The Bill Welsh Memorial Rising Stars Scholarship Fund
The History
The Bill Welsh Memorial Rising Stars Scholarship Fund was established in 2015. Sadly, William “Bill” Welsh III, passed away on November 2, 2014, at the Banner Medical Facility in Mesa, Ariz. He was 68.
The fund was made available through the generosity of Kacie Conner and Gary Gerlach. They committed an initial donation of $10,000 to endow the program. In making the announcement at the annual conference, AFCP (now ACP) President Greg Birkett said, “I don’t believe anyone who has attended an AFCP event over the last 25 years doesn’t appreciate the impact that Bill has had on our association, our members and our industry. Kacie and Gary believe in supporting stipends in the name of Bill Welsh for young professionals to attend conference whose character displays the same natural enthusiasm for the industry, courageous problem solving, willingness to lead and love of people that was so much a part of Bill. Bill’s special love of AFCP makes this a most appropriate place to honor his name for years to come. To challenge all of us in the association, in addition to the initial $10,000 contribution – if we can raise $20,000 to add to their initial contribution – they are willing to add another $10,000 to raise the total fund to $40,000 in Bill’s honor. We appreciate Gary and Kacie’s generosity and commitment to this program. And we would also like to recognize the efforts of Rich Paulsen who was instrumental in getting this all put together.”
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At the 2015 conference, the Rising Stars initiated a silent auction which raised over $5,000 that year and continued to fund raise at the conference each year after. By 2018, between the fundraising efforts of the Rising Stars and contributions from our generous membership and industry supporters, we were able to hit the goal and receive the matching funds.
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The Rising Stars continue their fundraising efforts to this day and have added a few more methods along the way to help increase donations. Bill’s impact and influence has guided us through so much over the years, and his involvement in AFCP and MFCP helped shape those organizations and provided the foundation for many of their accomplishments and much of their growth.
"It’s hard to imagine a free community paper industry without the presence of Bill Welsh! It was Bill who always made newcomers feel welcome, included and important. It was Bill who made friends with everyone he met and made those friends always feel they were the most special people he knew. It was Bill who kept an entire industry always laughing and entertained with a smile and a wink or occasionally one of his favorite jokes. It was Bill who could light up a room any time he was in it." - Loren Colburn
A Little More About Bill
As a member of AFCP, Welsh served in every capacity. He helped lead the association to the unprecedented growth that made AFCP the leader in free paper associations. A longtime member of the board of directors, he served as AFCP’s president and as both president and vice president of the NANI board. He chaired the AFCP membership committee, and served as the conference trade show chair, the conference chair and the conference awards chair.
In 2006 Welsh was honored as the recipient of the annual AFCP Distinguished Service Award. In 1986 he was named the AFCP Publisher of the Year. He was also an active member of the Midwest Free Community Papers (MFCP). He often credited his success to his involvement in AFCP and MFCP.
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“Through these associations, I have had the opportunity to meet some great leaders in the free paper industry. You can’t place a value on the information that has been shared at these meetings,” he once said.
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Welsh started his publishing career after a stint in the retail clothing business. He was successful from day one, moving up to the position of chief operating officer of New West Newspapers out of Nebraska City, Nebraska. He also served as the publisher of the Nebraska City News Press and the Syracuse Journal Democrat.
He formerly served on the city council at Forest City, Iowa, and as past grand master of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed golf, fishing, reading and spending time with his family and friends.
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Welsh was a native of Grinnell, Iowa. He grew up in that city and married his high school sweetheart, Ruby. In his later years he resided in Nebraska City, Iowa, and spent his winters in Mesa, Arizona. He is survived by his wife Ruby; a son, W. “Skip” Welsh IV; a daughter, Stephanie Fritz; and several grandchildren.