Wilfred “Willy/Grandpa” Webb was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK, December 20th,1928 to Wilfred and Mary Webb. He was raised as an only child until at age 10 both of his parents died in an accident. He was subsequently adopted by Samuel Webb and Elsie Hartley and gained an older brother in Stanley.
Wilfred grew up in depression and World War II era UK. At the beginning of the war Will along with other children was evacuated to the countryside where he experienced growing up on a farm, watching enemy bombers flying overhead and working alongside prisoners of war. After graduation for secondary school, Will obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering and thereafter sailed from the UK to Canada in 1952 to work for his old boss. Will joined the Army in 1954 to become a US citizen and served at Governor’s Island in New York City for two years.
In 1960, Will moved to San Diego, CA for a job opportunity at Solar Turbines. There he learned how to create hand-drawn schematics of airplane engine parts and components. In 1962, Will first met Gloria Martha Angelica Campos, who lived in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico., when he answered an ad to obtain tutoring in speaking Spanish. In 1963 they were married at The Little Chapel of Roses in Glen Abbey Memorial Park.
In 1966, Will and Gloria’s only son, Wilfred Alexander was born at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. Will and his family bought their first home in Otay Mesa, San Diego, CA. In 1976, Will joined Rohr Industries, in Chula Vista, CA, where he specialized in designing engine nacelle components for jet aircraft. In 1978, Gloria tragically died due to complications caused by an earlier rheumatic fever illness. Will never got remarried and raised Alex on his own.
During his life, Will developed a love of running long distances. He became an avid participant in running marathons all over the world, including the New York, Boston, and London marathons. He ended up running dozens of marathons during his 50’s to 60’s.
Will was also an intrepid world traveler from his 50’s to 80’s. He visited countries on five of the six continents. This included unusual visits to Soviet-era Russia and Cuba and to Barrow Point, in the Arctic. Over time, Will’s love of travel turned specifically into a love of taking cruises to all different parts of the world. This included three “round the world” trips, which each took several months.
In 1995, Will moved up to the Bay Area, to be close to his son, Alex, and grandkids with whom he lived in San Jose until the last month of his life, when he moved back to San Diego with Alex and family to re-experience where he lived much of his life.
Will always had a positive outlook on life, was very friendly and easy going, and loved having his pets around while reading the newspaper, doing puzzles, and watching game shows and soccer on TV. His grandkids loved growing up with him and hearing his funny childhood and travel stories and funny sayings. Will died on August 6th, 2022, at Zion Medical Center from complications with Sepsis. He lived his last moments of life the same as he always had… chatting with his family at his side, telling old stories and singing songs, right up until the end.
Will is survived by his son Alex, daughter-in-law Munira, and grandchildren, Alyssandra, Arianna, and Ashton.
A memorial service for Grandpa will be held Friday, September 9, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, Little Chapel of the Roses (where his wedding to Alex's mom took place in 1963), 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902, followed by a committal service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. He will be buried alongside Alex's mom.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net for the Webb family.
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