William A. Welborn

William Acie "Bill" Welborn, 93 of Charleston died Friday July 2, 2010. Born January 23, 1917 in Spartanburg, a son of Henry Franklin Welborn and Edna Gresham Welborn. He attended public school and worked in his father's laundry and vending business. In 1937 at the age of twenty he hitchhiked to Charleston. There he met, in Hampton Park, the love of his life Margaret Rosalie Forsberg. They married in January of 1939 and remained married for 67 years until the passing of Margaret in 2006. He worked at Charleston Drydock and Shipyard as a shipfitter, which in those days consisted of swinging a sledge hammer to straighten damaged ship sections. He then worked at Southeastern Steel Corporation, first in the fabrication shop and then as an estimator and salesman. For thirty plus years at Southeastern he supplied the steel for many local buildings and bridges. After the closing of Southeastern he worked for Ashley Steel as chief estimator. Upon "retiring" from Ashley, he then co-founded Able Iron Works, Welborn-Lewis Iron and finally Franklin Iron. With his vast experience and knowledge he became known as the "Godfather Of Steel". When someone wanted to know how to estimate the size and amount of steel needed for a particular project, they didn't want to talk to anyone but Bill.He continued working well into his late seventies and could be counted on for consulting into his eighties. He was very proud of his work and also his family. He is survived by one daughter, Sandra Welborn Renzy (Bernie) of Flint Hill Va, six sons William E Welborn (Anita) of Conroe Tx, Nolan Paul Welborn (Catherine) of Charleston, Henry F Welborn (Pam) of Houston Tx, Lloyd G Welborn (Geneva) of Bonneau, SC Charles Larry Welborn (Susan) of Charleston and Mark H Welborn (Susan) of Charleston. 22 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. He was predeceased by one son Thomas H Welborn. The relatives and friends of William A. Welborn are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 Am, Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will be at Carolina Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening between 5:00 and 7:00 PM at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home 1620 Savannah Hwy. Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Building Fund 5 St. Teresa Dr. Charleston, SC.