Earl A. Webb, Sr.

Earl Andrew Webb was born May 8th, 1916 in Bates City, Missouri to Andrew Cleon Webb and Maggie Lena Eagan Webb. He was the first of three children, Delma Hofer and Margarie Dollard. Earl attended grade school and high school in Bates City Missouri, graduating in 1933. While growing up he worked on his family's farm, in the family general store and at his grandfather's lumberyard. He competed in sports excelling in football and basketball and played the trumpet in the Blue Springs Marching Band as well as community concerts. His "1" rating in band earned him the opportunity to play under John Philip Sousa
After high school Earl attended Baker University for two years, where he played football and basketball. Needing funds to continue school, Earl took a job at Pecks in Kansas City, starting as a salesman and moving up to Merchandise Manager. In 1937, Earl enrolled at Central Missouri State Teachers Collage, taking a partial load while working his way through school for Vernez Drug Store and as a supervisor for WPR projects.
Upon graduating November 1940, Earl enlisted in the Army Air Corps, but was discharged October 1941 due spots on his lungs. Earl then returned to marry Willa Mae (Billie) Gerhart from Stover, Missouri and accepted teaching positions at Hale, then Faucett, Missouri. He became Superintendent of Faucet School District the fall of 1942 after receiving his Masters Degree from University of Missouri.
In 1946, Earl accepted a position with National Schools Studios taking school pictures through 1976, when he sold his business.
During most of his life Earl was involved as national president of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, its foundation and served on many boards as a director. Earl served over 60 years as a Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge, served on the board for Habitat for Humanity, and helped unknown numbers of people and organizations.
Earl continued to operate his farm south of Stover, Missouri through 2004 while living with his wife Billie at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Survivors include two sons, Earl A. Webb, Jr. and wife Priscilla of Presque Isle, Maine and R. Michael Webb of Las Vegas, Nevada; one daughter, Vicki Maree Svedarsky and husband Dr. Daniel Svedarsky of Crookston Minnesota; one sister, Delma Hofer of Ocala, Florida; seven grandchildren, Earl A. Webb, III, Aaron Webb, Scott, S. Webb, Amy E. Stenslie, Alex Svedarsky, Andrew Svedarsky and Amanda Svedarsky, also other relatives and friends.
Services will be Monday, January 4, 2010, at the Gravois Mills United Methodist Church with a Masonic Service beginning at 3:00 P.M., followed by a Memorial Service with Rev. Ellen Hoff officiating. Military funeral honors will be rendered immediately following the Memorial Service by the Zack Wheat American Legion Post 642.