Wayne Lee Welsh

Wayne Lee Welsh (79) returned home to his Heavenly Father on January 17, 2025. Wayne was born to Ross and Margaret Welsh in Glendale, California on January 19, 1945. 

He attended elementary and junior high schools in Panorama City, California. He graduated from James Monroe High School in North Hills, Los Angeles, California where he served as Senior Class President. Along with his stepmother Jean, and his younger siblings Gary and Sharon, Wayne joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1959. 

Wayne served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala from 1964-1966. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University in 1969, and both a Master’s Degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1971. 

Upon graduating, Wayne joined the Los Angeles office of Arthur Young & Co., a predecessor to Ernst & Young, as a Certified Public Accountant. While in Los Angeles, Wayne reconnected with Carol Alley, whom he had previously met at Brigham Young University. Carol and Wayne were married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 11, 1972. Their love is and was, as they frequently told each other, “Forever and ever.” 

In 1974, Wayne joined the State of Utah’s newly formed Legislative Auditor General’s Office to help conduct management audits on state agencies. A decade into his service, Wayne was appointed Auditor General by the Utah State Legislature. Wayne remained at the helm of the Auditor General’s office until his retirement in 2004. Upon his retirement, the Deseret News reported that during Wayne’s 20-years of leadership, the office oversaw “hundreds of audits that have saved taxpayers an estimated $165 million. Under Welsh’s leadership, the office has been praised for providing one of the most important functions in state government.” The media reported Wayne as having a soft bark but a hard bite. 

Wayne dedicated much of his time in service to his fellow church members, filling many church callings including as a bishopric member. 

Wayne was a constant and reliable companion to those in his life. He loved singing and was a longtime member of the Utah Symphony Chorus. He enjoyed running and regularly spent his lunch breaks jogging the City Creek Loop near the Utah State Capitol. He was a dedicated supporter of the local dairy industry, faithfully drinking a glass of milk with most every meal. 

Wayne is survived by his wife, Carol, and five children: Katrina Hone (Eric), Las Vegas, NV; Kari Key (Matt), Portland, OR; David (Caroline), Lehi, UT; Steve (Amanda), Hurricane, UT; and Christopher (Amy), Lehi, UT; 19 grandchildren; and his sister Sharon Thain (Ted). He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Gary. 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ Chapel located at 210 East 1825 North, Centerville, Utah. Family and friends may gather on Saturday morning from 9:45-10:45 a.m., at the church prior to the funeral service. Interment will be at Bountiful City Cemetery. 

For those who cannot attend in person services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below. 

In memory of Wayne, please do not send flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wayne’s honor to: (i) The Utah Symphony; (ii) the BYU Scholarship Fund; or The Church of Jesus Christ Missionary Fund.