Welton Hearst Copeland, 87, of Bethel Acres passed away May 21. He was born Aug. 8, 1937, in Altus, OK to William Hearst and Lillian Mattie Copeland.
Welton graduated from Centralvue in 1955. He was an accomplished baseball player, lettering all four years in H.S. and played American Legion ball. Welton worked for Sharpes Auto Supply in Oklahoma City, where he met Billie Smith and they were married on May 6, 1961.
Welton then went to work for Transcon Lines for 20 years. He finished his career working for the State of Oklahoma in the Corporation Commission Transportation Division, retiring in 2003.
Welton was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, his parents; three brothers; Horace, Eugene and LeVance Copeland; and three sisters: Lillian Franklin, Thelda Butler, and Robbie Copeland.
He is survived by his three daughters: Paula (David) Williams, Karen (Paul) Thompson, and Kathy (Seth) Ramsey; nine grandchildren: Russel (Coco) Ramsey, Kyle Ramsey, Brandon (Lindsay) Ramsey, Gareth (Chelsea) Williams, Evan (Jess) Williams, Rhys Williams, Lindi (Cody) Creel, Arinee (Coulter) Conner, and Rachel (Jake) Bersche; 19 great-grandchildren; 1 sister: Sue (Ed) Hall and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A viewing will be May 30 from 8 am to 7 pm with the family present from 5 pm-7 pm.
Services will be held May 31 at 11 am at Blackburn Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Thompson and Rev. Larry Sparks officiating. Burial will follow at Blackburn Chapel Cemetery.
