A Trucker’s Last Ride, On the evening of February 10, 2023, Richard ("Ric,” “Papa Bear”) Welker ascended peacefully in Colfax, Washington. Ric was born to Earl and Norma Welker on February 17, 1956. He loved fishing, hunting, and especially truck driving. He lived his dream by driving his own truck as an owner-operator of W&R Trucking until health issues took him off the road. Above all else he loved his family: he was preceded in death by his father, Earl Welker, and grandson Austin Peacock. He is survived by his mother, Norma Swadley; brothers Ron Welker and Randy Mitchell; his wife, Renea Welker; his daughters Gen Gonzalez (Steven) and Amber Griswold (Zac); son Daniel Stubbs; grandchildren Ame, Dakotah, Mikayla, and Zoe; and last but not least his beloved dog, Red Bear, who he said is slightly more stubborn than his best friends Stacey and Danny, all of whom he treasured dearly. To all his friends and family past and present: He has parked his truck; now his engine has stopped. And those who love him, their hearts have dropped. He traveled the country with a smile of great pride; now he drives the streets of heaven on the truckers last ride.
Viewing will be held on Sunday, February 19th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Prosser Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at the Prosser Funeral Home, 1220 Sheridan Ave, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023. A time of celebration will follow at the Prosser VFW. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Mustangs for Mustangs. Please make checks payable to M4M and mail to PO Box 1634, Prosser, WA 99350 or online at PayPal.me/mustangsformustangs. You may leave a message for the family at WWW.Prosserfuneralhome.com