Howard Wilbur Webster

Howard Wilbur Webster, age 88, died on January 30, 2016 at Stoneybrook Health & Rehab in Manhattan, Kansas. He was born on June 22, 1927 on a farm in rural Pottawatomie County near Fostoria, Kansas. He was the son of Frank and Gladys (Whiting) Webster. Howard attended school in Fostoria and graduated from Fostoria High School in May of 1944 with a class of nine students. Following high school, Howard enlisted in the United States Navy in July 1944, and reported for boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois and then on to Little Creek, Virginia for further training. He picked up his ship in Chicago and then shipped out to the Pacific. He served as Seaman First Class with the MOS of Quartermaster on the LSM 350 and LSM-401 in the Pacific Islands, Guam, Pearl Harbor, Saipan, Philippines, Japan, and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in June of 1946.

On April 20, 1947, Howard married Della Rae Simon at the First United Methodist Church in Manhattan, Kansas.

In the Fall of 1949, Howard began an apprenticeship in the Plumbers Union Local 409 in Manhattan, and later transferred to the Topeka Plumbers Union Local 165 after moving to Topeka in 1966. After retiring in 1989, with 40 years as a superintendent on many industrial and commercial jobs in plumbing and heating, Howard and Del moved to Olsburg, Kansas in 1991, and spent their winters in Corpus Christi and later Mission, Texas. Howard and Del moved to Manhattan in 2002, and then moved into Stoneybrook Assisted Living in Manhattan in 2012.

Howard was a member of the American Legion Post #17 of Manhattan, Stagg Hill Golf Course, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 441, The Retreads; a senior motorcycle group, and the United Methodist Church.

Howard loved to travel, fish, hunt, play golf, and camp. His greatest joy was his family. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When he was younger, Howard was a Boy Scout leader, Little League baseball coach, and helped out with many activities involving his children and grandchildren as they were growing up.

Howard is survived by his loving wife, Del, of Stoneybrook Assisted Living in Manhattan, his children; Tony & Debbie Webster of Topeka, Roxanne & Larry Klocke of Randolph, and Denise & David Mahoney of Olathe, six grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren, one sister; Bernice Hedinger of Manhattan, one niece, and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

A Celebration of Howard's life will be held on Saturday, February 6, at the American Legion in Olsburg, Kansas. Visitation and luncheon for family and friends will be from 1:00 to 3:00.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association in Howard's name.