William Earl Webb, age 86, of Marion, IL passed away at 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2009, in Parkway Manor of Marion, IL.
He was born on October 19, 1923, on the family farm just west of Tunnel Hill, IL, the son of William Barton and Janette (Edmonds) Webb and grandson of Fox Dan Webb.
As a child he first attended the Webb Town School, near the present Webb Cemetery west of Tunnel Hill and later attended the Mount Olive School, located near Dutchman Lake in Johnson County.
Earl answered the call of this nation by serving in the United States Army during WW II in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, serving as a Medic in the 37th Infantry Division, 148th Regiment, 1st Battalion. He served in the campaigns of Bougainville located in the Solomon Islands and Luzon in the Philippine Islands. He was awarded two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart for his heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy on May 14, 1945. His company was subjected to direct enemy fire and four men were wounded and Corporal Webb voluntarily left the cover of his foxhole, under heavy fire, crawled over to the casualties to administer first aid. After treating and dressing the wounds of the officer and three enlisted men, Corporal Webb directed their evacuation to the Battalion Aid Station. After his period of faithful service he was discharged on December 24, 1945, with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
While Earl was a soldier in 1943, a young girl named Maude Alice Goins started writing to him and over the next two years they exchanged letters. Many of their family and friends said they fell in love through the letters. It wasn’t until he got home from the war that Maude and Earl met face to face on December 25, 1945, for the first time. They were united in marriage on February 10, 1946, in Marion, IL and together they have shared an undying devotion to each other for the last sixty three years.
Earl began his working career shortly after WW II in the construction field helping to build the Marion High School, now the present day Marion Junior High School. In 1950, he began working for the Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service located on the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge. He remained there for the next thirty years until his retirement in 1980, as Fire Chief. Following his retirement he began working for the Marion Memorial Hospital as a security guard for eight years.
He has been a member of the First Church of the Nazarene of Marion since 1958. Some of his other affiliations and memberships include being a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301 of Marion, lifetime member of the Coal Belt Fire Fighters Association, member of the Fellowship Masonic Lodge No. 89 A.F. & A.M. of Marion, member of the Ainad Shrine A.A.O.N.M.S. of East St. Louis, IL, member of the Lodge Council Chapter Consistory Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Southern Illinois, lifetime member of the Illinois Police Association, member and served as President of the Coal Belt Fire Fighters Association, member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees serving as their President of the Marion Chapter at one time.
When he was not working and had the time, he loved to fish and hunt; especially deer hunting, spending time at deer camp at the family farm near Dutchman Lake. He enjoyed people, taking the time to visit and sharing stories of the past. All through his life his family has been very important to him, always giving them his unconditional love and supporting them in all their activities. He will be missed by all those now left behind but the memories and love will last forever.
He is survived by his wife, Maude A. Webb of Marion, IL; daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Mike Cain of Marion, IL; son and daughter-in-law, Earl Victor and Carol Webb of Jupiter, FL; five grandchildren, Brad Webb, Alexa(Webb)Niklinski and her husband, Cyril, and Alison Webb all of Bradenton, FL, Brent Cain and his wife, Shelly, of Marion, IL and Jeff Cain and his wife, Cynthia of Lexington, SC; two step grandchildren, Jennifer Palm of Jupiter, FL and Cathy Kozac and her husband, Dave, of Hopkinsville, KY; eight great grandchildren, Ryan Cain, Colby Cain, Kaylee Barnes, Beau Barnes, Zane McDaniel Cain, Alston Webb, Conner Niklinski and Emily Webb; five step great grandchildren, Skylar Noll, Robert Stelicha, Jessica Stelicha, Shelby Kozac and Maggie Kozac; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Alice Blue of Chester, IL, Betty Lou and Oscar Breedlove of Marion, IL, Patsy and Dale Atwood of Marion, IL and Clara June and L.D. Bowers of Puxico, MO; sister-in-law, Myrtle Webb of Harrisburg, IL, a host of nieces, nephews, other extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant granddaughter, Stacy Renee Webb; eight brothers, Woodrow, James, Leaman; 18 month old, Walter and infant still born brothers Barton Eugene, Ward, Donald and Ronald Webb; brother-in-law, Ralph Blue and sisters-in-law, Doris and Jean Webb.
Arrangements for William Earl Webb were entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, of Marion, IL.
A time of visitation for family and friends was from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 20th, at the funeral home.
During the time of visitation a “Reflection of Life” DVD Memorial Tribute featuring special people, places and events of Earl’s life was presented to family and friends.
The funeral service was at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 21, 2009, at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Lee and Rev. Bobby Parker presiding.
The eulogy was presented by Brent Cain and comments of memory were also presented by Jay Webb, Carolyn Hale and Joe Cochran.
Special vocal musical selections presented during the service were “Flower In the Rain”, “In the Garden” and “How Great Thou Art” all by Ellie Atwood with recorded accompaniment and “Amazing Grace” presented acappella by Ellie Atwood.
Also presented during the service was the recorded musical selection “In Color” by Jamey Johnson as the DVD Memorial Tribute was shown.
Interment followed in Webb Cemetery near Tunnel Hill, IL.
Pallbearers were Brent Cain, Jeff Cain, Danny Webb, Brad Webb, Jay Webb and Larry Adams.
Military honors were accorded at the graveside by members of the V.F.W. Heyde-Pillow Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 and the Illinois National Guard all of Marion, IL. Those participating were Commander, Dan Fruge; Chaplain, Roger Hines; Bugler, Bill Deaton; Officer of the Day, Pat Campbell; Color Guard, Jessie James; National Colors, Ernie Rinella; V.F.W. Post Colors, Calvin James; Firing Squad, Don Burgrabe, Ralph DeVasier, Chuck Knapp, Glen Taylor, Bill Reynolds, Brian Samuel and Max Bittikofer. Members of the Illinois National Guard Flag Detail participating were Specialist Jeremie Moon, Staff Sergeant Mark Murray and Staff Sergeant Brandon Page. Presentation of the flag to Earl’s wife, Maude, was by Staff Sergeant Brandon Page.
Following the committal service at the cemetery the family and friends gathered at the First Church of the Nazarene in Marion, for a meal and continued time of fellowship and support.
For those who preferred memorial contributions were made to “First Church of the Nazarene”.
For additional information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.
