William Welge (Bill), recently retired Director of the Oklahoma Historical Society Research Division, currently serves on the executive board of the Society of Southwest Archivists, which is a six state regional archival organization.

Welge holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts and History in Southwestern Studies from Central State University (Summa Cum Laude).  A charter member of the Academy of Certified Archivists, he has been a Certified Archivist since 1989.  He has also been included in Who's Who and received the Certificate of Merit from the Volunteer Action Center in Oklahoma City. 

Welge has served the Oklahoma Historical Society in various positions since April of 1977.  A man of many talents, he has been responsible for many tasks in the Archives including microfilming and preservation. Processing, arranging and accessioning collections including private manuscripts, photos, and government documents has also been his responsibility.  Since 1980, he has been working directly, assisting researcher in the use of resources including designing indices and finding other aids for researchers use.  As Director, he was active on the administrative level including allocation of personnel and finances.  Welge was also instrumental in establishing policy for acquisitions, conservation, and storage of holdings as well as continual development of research materials, etc. 

A member of Oklahoma Historical Societies in Beaver, Canadian (El Reno), Cimarron (Boise City), Greer (Mangum), and McClain (Purcell) Counties, he has been active in the Oklahoma City/County, Oklahoma State (OKC), and No Man's Land (Goodwell) Societies.  Additional related memberships include: Friends of the OHS Archives Support Group, Society of Southwest Archives, Star of the Republic Museum, and Westerners International. He also holds membership in the following out of state Historical Societies/Associations: Kansas State, Missouri, Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest, Texas.