R. J. Welch, affectionately called “Mr. Rube” by his business associates and friends, was the original owner of Welch Butane. Mr. Rube founded Welch Butane at Naples, Texas in early November 1949, with one bobtail truck and driver and no bulk storage. He quickly became known and respected by his peers and area citizens for his self-made business expertise and wisdom. Welch Butane grew to become one of the largest independent Propane dealerships in the Northeast Texas area.

When Mr. Rube retired January 1, 1968, the business was passed on to his son, Hershel G. Welch. Over the years, Welch Butane acquired other Propane gas dealerships, which were consolidated into the overall operations. In 1984, Welch Butane became a registered corporation. Operating under its own corporate charter, the company was renamed “WelchGas”, dropping the “Butane” term and moving to a more modern trade name.

The late 1970’s and early 1980’s brought about the addition of retail locations in Daingerfield and Bogata. In 1987, Hershel’s son Wes joined the family operation and they soon opened another retail location. On November 1, 1987, the retail office in Mt. Pleasant was opened and then relocated to its present site in October 2001.

The Welch family operated a propane transport company – Welch Energy – from 1977 until 2007. The transport company supplied propane to all WelchGas locations over the years, as well as to other surrounding propane dealers in the Northeast Texas area.

On September 1, 2007, Wes Welch acquired ownership of WelchGas. The company now operates three retail locations in Mt. Pleasant, Daingerfield, and Naples. The company provides a wide variety of services in the agricultural, commercial, and residential propane market.

The “Welch” name is synonymous with “Texas Propane Gas Association” as all members of the WelchGas families, beginning with Mr. Rube, have been active in all levels of the State and National Propane Gas Associations. Five members of the Welch family have served as President of the Texas Propane Gas Association – George Welch, Sr., 1971-72, Hershel G. Welch, 1984-85, George Welch, Jr., 1996-97, Wes Welch, 2001-2002, and Tommy Granberry, 2005-2006. Several members of the Welch family are currently serving on State and National Propane Gas committees.

Known throughout Texas and the nation for their strong beliefs and efforts in Propane Marketing, WelchGas was the winner of the NPGA National Marketing Achievement Award in 1985 and the recipient of the 1995 Texas Railroad Commission “Propane SuperStar” award for marketing. WelchGas also sponsors the annual Bill Henderson Propane Marketing Award. Named for W.W. “Bill” Henderson, the award is presented to a Texas propane marketer that has shown innovation, dedication, and community involvement in promoting propane. Henderson has been associated with the Welch family and their propane operations for over 50 years, beginning as a bookkeeper and advisor to Mr. Rube and as a salesman and marketing representative.