William Robert Webster's Obituary
William Robert Webster October 7, 1933 ~ January 14, 2017
Bill Webster of St. Helens, Oregon passed away on January 14, 2017. He was 83 years old.
Bill was born in Geneseo, Kansas on October 7, 1933. He was one of the youngest of 7 children born to Ethel and Earl Webster, and spent his formative years on the family farm until they migrated to Gladstone, Oregon when Bill was in the 4th grade. He was a Kansas cowboy first, and then an accomplished athlete lettering in basketball and baseball at West Linn High School, where he graduated.
He met the love of his life, Betty Jane Gross after he graduated, and they married soon after. They began their life together, and immediately started to build their family, adding 6 children; 3 boys and 3 girls in the next several years. Bill and Betty eventually settled down in Oregon City, Oregon, where they built their family home and his Webster's Upholstery business.
The Webster homestead was a kid’s fantasyland, filled with a variety of animals, including horses. There was a non-stop myriad of adventures with motorcycles, go-carts and a race track, tree forts, girl’s playhouse, basketball court, archery, garden, acres of woods, trees to climb, and magical play lands. Deer hunting and "deer drives" were a major part of their lives, along with go-cart racing and various sports. Bill coached the boys baseball teams, and in the summer hosted pool parties and Bar B Q's. Their home was always the gathering place for the extended families and friends, especially during the holiday seasons.
The Websters moved to Deer Island, Oregon in 1972, and eventually settled in St. Helens. Most of his time was spent in his upholstery shop, working for his son as a handyman, and cheering on his grandchildren at sporting events.
Bill and Betty would have been married 63 years on January 30, 2017.
He was preceded in death by his three sons: Poe, Billy and Bob. He is survived by his wife Betty, and daughters, Debi, Terry and Julie, along with a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bill could light up the room with his endless jokes and sense of humor, and will be greatly missed.
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