Voices has learned that State College Mayor Bill Welch died today, September 4th, at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, as a result of complications from leg surgery, at the age of 68. Bill Welch was a low key but progressive mayor, who was recently famed for presiding at same-sex civil unions at PSU. "Mayor Bill Welch said he was asked to perform the ceremony by a Penn State group supporting gay, bisexual and transgender students. "It's not illegal or immoral," Welch said. "I'm pro-commitment. I favor love and I didn't see any reason not to do it."