Larry F Webber

Larry F. Webber, 64, of Bradford passed away at 12:05 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at his home in rural Bradford. Larry was born Feb. 13, 1949, in Kewanee to Leo Francis and Dorothy J. (Baylor) Webber. He married Annetta M. Ross Feb. 23, 2013, in Bradford. She survives. He graduated from Bradford High School in 1967 and attended the University of Illinois for two years. He worked at AgView Farm Services in Princeton. He was a member of E.A.A. and the Bradford Fire Department. He had his private pilot license. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 and was a member of the 199th light infantry brigade. Larry had many interests throughout his life. Above all, he loved to fly. He built and flew his own replica of a World War II P51 Mustang. On occasion, Larry was known to "buzz" his local friends with his unmistakable airplane. In 1995, he was very proud to follow his uncle''s footsteps, achieving a rare opportunity to pilot a vintage B17 bomber. He attended many different air shows including the EAA Oshkosh Air Adventure in Wisconsin and the National Stearman Fly-in held in Galesburg. He helped maintain the Bradford Airport where his airplane was kept and often took family members and many friends for a joy ride. He enjoyed hunting and informal target shooting and was a member of Fort Defiance Rifle and Pistol Club. Larry was an excellent mechanic and enjoyed owning many early Ford Mustangs. He also used his hands on skills by participating in stock car racing in Princeton and Mendota. He was a motorcycle enthusiast enjoying both street and motocross riding. He enjoyed yard and garden work using his John Deere lawn tractors for plowing, tilling, spraying and snow throwing. Larry spent many years plowing snow when called upon for the Bradford Township area. Recently, Larry had been providing the daily weather and precipitation reports to the National Weather Service in Lincoln. He also enjoyed boating, swimming and loved to play volleyball. Larry was a great and life-long friend to many throughout his years and always provided a helping hand. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, always including them in the things he did. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home, Bradford, with the Rev. Rex Hendrix officiating. Burial will be in the Bradford Cemetery, Bradford, with military rites conducted by Bradford American Legion Post 445. Also surviving are his mother, Dorothy J. Webber of Princeton; two sons, Thomas A. (Michaele) Webber of Princeville and Brian Webber of Bradford; one daughter, Renee (Jesse) Wagner of Kewanee; two stepsons, Matthew (Rachel) Ross of Princeton and Zach Ross of Bradford; three stepdaughters, Angie Ross of Moline, Melissa (Ken) Westefer of Kewanee and Shelly Ross of College Station, Texas; 12 grandchildren, Leigha, Chris, Connor, Allysah, Lydian, Regan, Laci, Morgan, Kenzie, Rhyan, Brody and Dominik; and one great-granddaughter, Kylene. He was preceded in death by his father. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to Bradford Fire and Rescue.