Granville 'Hank' Welch, passed into heaven January 20, 2026 at the age of 102, in his Sonora home, surrounded by loved ones. Born December 7, 1923 at home in La Flore, Oklahoma to Ernest and Dovie Welch. He was the oldest of six siblings; Patricia, Neil, Rudolph, Beatrice, Eulabee.
He grew up near Holson Creek, OK. Where he spent his childhood plowing their fields with a horse drawn push plow. After flooding washed away the topsoil grandpa Ernest sold their 60 acres and they set out for California loading everything they had on their car and a trailer grandpa built from an old car chassi. They stopped by the DMV on their way out of town and for $5.00 bought Granville his first drivers license, he was 15 at the time, 1938 and Hank drove his family ... On their way to California they stopped over in Texas to pick cotton to supplement their income so they could travel on.
Granville joined the army at the age of 20, 75th Infantry Division in March 1943, turned 21 in Germany and served in WWII, Battle of the Bulge, December 1944. He served in Belgium, England, France and Germany. He helped transport victims from two of the worst concentration camps. After being honorably discharged January 1946, he came back to California, by way of a Liberty Ship out of England. He knew he was back home when he saw the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. He married Vada Altine Fisher in Modesto in August, and Hank and Vada moved to Ripon, California. They purchased property at the corner of 4th and Walnut Avenue and he and grandpa Ernest Welch built the house that he and Vada would raise their family and call home for the next 50+ years.
He took an active part in the community and volunteered with the Ripon Reserve Police Department serving as Sargent for 21 years. He is past commander of the American Legion Post #190 in the early 1950's.
Granville was employed as a Civil Servant with Sharpe Army Depot in Stockton, California and retired after 32 years.
He was a founding member and past President of the Modesto chapter of the Model "A" Ford Club of America and is a lifetime member of MAFCA. He served as consultant for Bill Harrah's Auto Collection and served as National Judge for car shows and at Model "A" car conventions for many years.
Granville was an avid antique Ford car and parts collector and spent many years tracking down those one of a kind deals. He restored his antique cars himself, with the help of his three daughters.
He loved family get togethers, those Model "A" tours on the weekends, camping trips with friends and family in Yosemite, Sand Flats, Utica Lake, the many festivals and parades with the Model"A" club. He has always been very proud of his Choctaw and Cherokee Indian heritage.
Granville "Hank" and Vada had three daughters, Linda Berlingeri (Chuck), Deborah Travaille (Bud) and Norma Gail Hilvers (Mike), eight grandchildren; Michael Jerome (Stephanie), Brandon Jerome, Shawna Mattes (Greg), Jeff Heald (Amy), Ginel Bartleson (Bob), Tracey Riddle (Matt), Robin Booth (Arthur), Tom Hilvers (Katie),
33 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren.
In 1987 Granville bought a second home in Sonora, California. This is where he spends his later years and as he calls it "his little piece of heaven". He watches Deer, wild turkeys, ring tail doves and pet squirrels from the sunny seat on his deck. His good friends and neighbors Tom, John, Kevin and Patty, Paul and Bobbie always there to check in on him. Many Thanks to Darlene and Jerry, Ellen, Leslie, Carissa, and Bobbie his amazing caregivers.
At age 95 he gave his life to Christ and was baptized.
Deegan Funeral is handling arrangements. Graveside service will be at Ripon Cemetery, A Celebration of Life at First Prespeterian Church, immediately following graveside.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, January 29, 2026
