Willis Webb

Olean- Willis L. Webb, a longtime Olean resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday (October 8, 2022) at the Pines Health and Rehabilitation Center in Olean, where he had resided for the past three years.

Born March 22, 1928, in Olean, he was the son of the late, Claude and Elisabeth Newton Webb.  On October 6, 1948, he married Leah M. Higby, who predeceased him.

Willis attended Bolivar Central School and graduated from Kenmore Sr. High School. He attended United Wesley School in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Empire State College in 1973.

He was employed in a variety of industrial and business settings from inspecting military aircraft during WW2, selling mobile homes, working on the railroad, and running machinery at ACME electric, just to name a few.

Willis was an ordained Deacon of the United Methodist church in July of 1973. He served as pastor in the Methodist Churches in Scio, Friendship, Allentown, Weston Mills, Hornell, Big Creek, and Salamanca. He served eight years as the chairman of Olean U.M.C. District committee on Superintendence, retiring in 1990.   He also served as past President of Salamanca City Ministerium and was the Chaplin at Olean, Hornell, and Salamanca hospitals. He was also a former member of the Weston Mills Fire Department serving as their Chaplain.  Willis was a member of the River’s Edge United Methodist Church in Portville and a member of the Keynote Chorus.

Surviving is; two sons, Christopher (Sherry) Webb of Olean and Daniel (Mary) Webb of Friendship; three daughters, Nanette (David) Torrey of Olean, Kathleen (Willard) Hawkes, of Atmore, AL., and Frances (John) Jackson of Prattsburgh; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one brother, David Webb of FL; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Willis was predeceased by; one brother Keith Webb and two sisters, Frances Webb and June Bateman.

Private services were held at the River’s Edge United Methodist Church in Portville. Burial will be in Allegany Cemetery and at the convenience of the family.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean. Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.