WELSH, Clifton Michael

Parker Pioneer, Parker Arizona - Published Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - Clifton Michael Welsh, aka "Big C", "Bitho", "Biff", "Bit", he'd answer to them all ...was born Oct. 8, 1961 in San Carlos, Ariz., to the late Darwin T. Welsh, Sr., and Lillian Welsh. His maternal grandparents were Frank Wiley, Sr. and Ethel Gusdil of San Carlos and paternal grandparents were Sylvester Cleveland and Edna Welsh. As a Mohave, he was of the Neolga clan, meaning things above the world, like the sky, sun, clouds, stars etc. Cliff passed suddenly on July 28, 2010 at his residence. Rosary and Mass was said on Aug. 7, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church officiated by Fr. Fragoso, followed by traditional rites and pre-dawn cremation August 8. Clifton was the third child of six children and is survived by an older brother, Michael Allen Welsh of Tempe, Ariz., three surviving sisters, Doreen Pretends Eagle of Mandan, ND, Valerie Welsh-Tahbo of Parker and Tina Welsh, of Winterhaven, Calif. Clifton left many nephews and preceded in death by one nephew, Baby Boy Duncan, his father Darwin T. Welsh, Sr., and brother Darwin T. Welsh, Jr. He also has many nieces, he loved them all very much. In our culture, uncles are revered as fathers and grandfathers always ready to discipline or encourage at the absence of one's own, therefore, he leaves two grandchildren, Marley Neolch Welsh and Darwin T. Welsh IV whom he adored and beamed with pride. Clifton attended elementary and junior high school in the Parker area. He left Parker to finish high school at Phoenix Indian School in Phoenix. He graduated and received his high school diploma in May 1980. Clifton then enrolled at the Arizona Automotive Institute and received his Automotive Mechanic Certificate a few years later. He later became employed with the CRIT Recreation Department, then the Colorado River Joint Venture then finally with BIA Facilities Management. He worked until an onset of knee problems prevented him from working. Clifton's favorite past time was being with his best friends, Lisa and Sally Leivas--he spoke of them often and never left out how much he appreciated them for their deeds and companionship. He enjoyed watching football getting into the "pools," basketball and movie DVDs, playing chess and dominoes. In the last ten years of his life he developed his skills as a Mohave gourd rattle craftsmen, very rarely did his gourds break, many were "drop proof." He also dabbled in beadwork and enjoyed making bracelets and other jewelry as gifts or as orders. Clifton of Second Avenue, has left an enormous void in the hearts of his family and friends, he was a son, brother, uncle, proud grandpa, cousin, and friend. The Welsh family would like to extend their utmost gratitude for words of encouragement, support, prayers and love and especially for being a part of Cliff's life, we know what you meant to him and that makes his passing ever so bearable.