Donald Howard "Tapper" Welker, 81, of Clarksville, TN, died on Monday, December 31, 2012 at his residence. He was born on July 31, 1931 in Montgomery County, Tennessee to the late Orman Welker and Sarah Anna Harris Welker. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Donnie Welker and Mark Welker; three sisters, Imogene Shelton, Nina Mae Sheeks, and Alice Welker; and eight brothers, J.W. Welker, Burch Welker, George Welker, Robert Welker, Stuart Welker, Miles Welker, Allen Welker, and Henry Welker.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12 p.m. at Hilldale Church of Christ with Brother Steve Kirby and Brother Roy Goodmiller officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2013 from 4-8 p.m. at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home and Friday, January 4, 2013 from 10 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.
Tapper was a machine operator for Bi-County Waste Management. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran having served in the Korean Conflict. He was a member and past elder of Hilldale Church of Christ.
He is survived by his wife, Gladys Welker of Clarksville, TN; daughter, Debra Welker of Clarksville, TN; sister, Bobbie Anne Simmons of Waverly, TN; and grandson, Dustin Welker.
Nephews and great nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be elders of Hilldale Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at Hilldale Church of Christ, 501 Highway 76, Clarksville, TN 37043. Arrangements entrusted to Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040. Online condolences may be made at www.neal-tarpley.com.