Willis Newman Webb, 79, of Lake Charles, LA, died Monday, July 18 in his residence. He was born at home near Teague, TX on Mother’s Day, May 9, 1937.
A previous life-long Texan, Webb “jumped the river” to Louisiana in 2012, following a 50-plus year career with newspapers. A 1960 graduate of the University of Houston, Webb began his editing/publishing career as editor of his hometown newspaper. From there he went on to serve as editor/publisher for numerous Texas newspapers, with his last 16 years at The Jasper Newsboy.
Basing his career on the belief that a weekly paper offers not only the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a community, but also a chance to participate in all aspects of the newspaper industry, Webb received countless state and national awards and honors for community service, news writing, editorials, columns, headline writing, photography, advertising design and layout and page design.
In 2004, Webb was named President of the Texas Press Association (TPA), the largest state association in the country. During his career he received a multitude of honors including: in 1997, the coveted Eagle Award for outstanding individual accomplishment in journalism from the Hearst Corporation; in 2005, the Harris Wofford Award for outstanding service to youth from Youth Service of America; in 2010, the Lifetime Achievement in Print Media from Sam Houston University; and as the culmination of his long and storied career, in 2013, he was inducted into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame.
In addition to being a true wordsmith, Webb was an inspiration and friend to many, especially young people. He loved to tell stories and looked for the positive in everyone. He always fought for what was right, was a peaceful man and a man who loved God. He will be dearly missed.
Webb was preceded in death by his beloved son Christopher Webb and his parents L. Ray Webb and Ruth Webb Barger.
Those left to mourn him include his loving wife Julie Webb, of Lake Charles, LA and his devoted son Weston Webb and fiancé Heather Bertrand, of Sulphur, LA; granddaughter Jessica Webb of Austin, TX; brothers Kerry Webb and wife Glenda of Round Rock, TX, Clydell Webb and wife Carole Ann of Huntsville, TX and Danny Webb and wife Nelma of McGregor, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.
A memorial “Homegoing” celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 30, at two o’clock, at Wimberley United Methodist Church, located at 1200 CR 1492, just off RR 12 south of Wimberley, TX. A private family burial service will be held earlier in the day at the Wimberley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Texas Press Association or Texas Newspaper Foundation : 305 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704, South Texas Press Association : P.O. Box 400, Hondo, TX 78861, Texas Gulf Coast Press Association : P.O. Box 1845, Richmond, TX 77469 or the charity of your choice.
