Mr. Robert J. “Bob” Welsh Jr., 77, of Highland Avenue in Edgefield, husband of Betty Welsh, died Friday, March 13, 2009 at his residence.

A Funeral Mass was held Monday, March 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Edgefield. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Welsh was born in Colonie, N.Y., and has made his residence in Edgefield for 54 years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was the executive vice president and general manager of Star Fibers where he retired in 1989.

He was the Edgefield County Hospital administrator from 1989 until he retired in 1996. Mr. Welsh was also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Jody Dye, Jackson, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Wilkerson, North Augusta; three sons, Robert Welsh III, Trenton, Paul K. Welsh, Summerville, Jason Welsh, Cary, N.C.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Edgefield Mercantile Funeral home was in charge of arrangements.