Drew Welty

Drew Edward Welty, 29, departed this life on Oct. 2, 2016, near Togiak, AK. He was born May 3, 1987, in Tampa, FL. He lived most of his life in Williamsburg, VA. He was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church where he was involved in mission work from middle school through college. Drew graduated from Bruton High School and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration at Radford University, where he was commissioned in the United States Army. In the Army, he served as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Technician and deployed to Afghanistan, where he earned a Bronze Star. He was also selected to go to Vietnam on a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) Recovery Mission. After being honorably Discharged from the Army at the rank of Captain, he pursued his degree in Professional Piloting at UAA. During this time, Drew worked summers as a contractor for USA Environmental and Oigoonik. He achieved his dream of flying as a co-pilot with Ravn Alaska.

Drew was an Eagle Scout with an adventurous spirit, a love for the outdoors, traveling, and visited 34 countries. He was a storyteller, hopeless romantic, avid trivia buff, board game enthusiast, and a favorite uncle of his nieces and nephews.

Drew was the son of Rita Welty and the late Roy Welty. He is preceded in death by his father Roy Welty, his grandfather, William Smith, and his grandparents Leo and Leota Welty. He is survived by his mother, Rita Welty of Williamsburg, his grandmother, Inez Smith of Mathews, VA, his siblings, Thomas Welty and Vicky of Atlanta, Lynn Handy of of Juno Beach, FL, Jennifer Welty-Green and Allen of Atlanta, David Welty of Colorado Springs, Richard Welty and Holly of Denver, Alison Early and Rick of Richmond, VA, Emily Emery and Aaron of Great Falls, VA, many nieces and nephews, and the love of his life, RieAnn Fullwood of Anchorage.

A Celebration of Drew's life was held at the Aviation Museum on Friday, October 7, from 6 to * p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alaska Airmen Association at www.alaskaairmen.org. Arrangements are with Janssen's Evergreen Memorial Chapel.