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Since his wife Peggy's passing, Bill Welker, longtime Wheeling wrestling enthusiast and educator, has been taking trips to their hometown of Shamokin, PA. On a recent visit home, he received a proclamation from Mike McLaughlin, the Mayor of Shamokin, for his contributions to education and the sport of wrestling. He was also given the "Key to the City" while it was announced that August 17th would be known as "Bill Welker Day".
Welker was also honored by his high school. The Shamokin Area School District superintendent presented him with a citation designating Welker as a "Distinguished Alumnus" for his lifetime achievements.
"It was quite an exciting day in my hometown," Welker said. "And it's really something to be remembered and recognized by your hometown."
The city proclamation emphasized Welker's longevity in wrestling. He was the co-founder of the Greater Wheeling Small-Fry Wrestling League in 1977. Welker also co-founded the WV Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.
Welker held the position of WVSSAC rules interpreter for 28 years. He was on the NFHS National Wrestling Rules Committee from 2012 until 2015. Welker was also the rules interpreter for the OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Championships from 1992 to 2017.
Welker is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (WV Chapter), the PA Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the OVAC Hall of Fame. He also received the prestigious "Jasper N. Deahl" award from WVU for his contributions to education.