GREEN, Weldon

Eastern Arizona Courier, Safford, Arizona, Wednesday, February 10, 2010 Weldon M. Green 1916-2010 Welden M. Green, born May 11, 1916, passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. He was the second of nine siblings born to Bertha Mae and Jesse Lee Green of Thatcher. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was a successful businessman, civil servant and celebrated war hero, having served as an army lieutenant in World War II. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, at the LDS Chapel on 20th Street in Safford, with the final resting place at Safford Union Cemetery. Welden was born in Thatcher and attended grade school in Ashurst at the old historic Redland School, which is still standing on Highway 70. He then attended elementary school and high school in Thatcher. After brief enrollments in the Gila Junior College (now EAC), Welden served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army in World War II, being awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts and the Good Conduct Medal. Green performed basic training in Fort Sill, Okla., later stationed in Camp Howse near Dallas, Texas, where he met his loving wife, Erma, in 1943. During his service in the Army, Green served in Panama, North Africa, Italy and France. After his exemplary service in the U.S. Army, Welden returned to Arizona, where he was commissioned to reactivate the National Guard in the Gila Valley and served as company commander and captain. He worked for Safeway Food Stores as a meat cutter for several years, then purchased a grocery store on Eighth Avenue called Green's Market, which he owned and operated for 11 years before purchasing the Western Auto Store on Main Street. Welden and his wife, Erma, owned and operated Western Auto together for many years, and he attributed much of their business success to his partner and wife, Erma. The Western Auto business was eventually expanded to two different, larger locations, and the Western Auto business still exists today as Western Auto Home Store and Green's Furniture on Highway 70. As a business owner and citizen of Safford, Thatcher and the Gila Valley, Welden made many valuable contributions to the area and its residents. Among his many civic services, he volunteered as chairman of the Salvation Army for many years, served as president of both the Gila Valley Rotary Club and the Safford Rotary Club, served as president and member of the Safford School Board for several terms and was active in the Toastmasters International organization. In addition, he held many positions in the LDS Church, where he remained a devoted member throughout his life. Welden is probably most remembered for his respect and devotion to his family, his desire to serve his country and fellow man, and his deep sense of humility. In his later years, though hindered by limited mobility due to being left partially paralyzed by a stroke in 2000, Welden never lost his keen sense of humor and heartwarming smile. Welden is survived by wife Erma, 95. The couple married in 1943 and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in June of 2009. They had four sons and two daughters: David (Glenna), Ronald (Candy), Janice Holladay (Dale), Sharon Ann (deceased), Tom and Philip (Patti). In addition, Welden and Erma have 23 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Welden has three surviving siblings: Olive Morris, Venice Coons and JoAnn Kempton Haggard.