George L Webb's Obituary
George L. Webb, 91, of Kansas City, MO, passed away on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at his home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11:00AM at the Centennial United Methodist Church in Kansas City. Visitation will be from 10-11AM Thursday at the church.
George Lawrence Webb, 91, passed away at home on October 16, 2025. He was born November 4, 1933, to Jesse and Lottie Webb in Tipton, Missouri.
He was proceeded in death by both parents, his wife, Etta Mae Webb, his grandson, Franklin Lawrence Campbell and by 9 brothers and sisters; Mary, William, Jessie Johnson, Cedric, Walter, Kenneth, Eugene and 2 siblings that died in infancy. He was the last child of Jesse and Lottie.
George was united in marriage to Etta Mae Jackson. To this union one daughter was born, Ninette Kim Campbell. After marrying, George and Etta moved to Kansas City, Missouri.
George joined Prairie Grove Baptist Church in Tipton, Missouri as a teenager. He often talked about how he and his friends joined church at the same time and being baptized in a muddy pond. George attended elementary school at Harrison School in Tipton. He graduated from Hubbard High School in Sedalia, Missouri in 1952.
In Kansas City, George worked at Woolf Brothers Department Store from 1955 until it closed in 1992 as a Window Designer, designing Menswear Windows and Interior displays. He was occasionally flown to Dallas, Texas to design windows there. He was considered the best “Forms” man in Kansas City, meaning he was the best at displaying clothes on a mannequin form. After Woolf Brothers closed its doors, he was sought after as a freelance window and interior display designer. He freelanced with Brooks Brothers, Halls and Joseph A. Banks department stores until retiring at age 75.
George enjoyed playing chess with his friend, Charles, making many of his own chess boards. He also loved playing poker with the Crockett Brothers.
He was excited to have grandsons and loved to indulge them and share in their passions. Franklin and Phillip remembered well the advice their “Papa” gave them…”If you don’t have a lot of money, you better keep good credit”. When they were young, he bought them elaborate Lowrider bicycles and worked with them on customizing their bikes. He loved NASCAR racing and he shared that love of cars with Franklin. One memorable Fathers Day weekend was celebrated by having the “NASCAR Experience” at the Kansas Speedway. Franklin drove a Maserati, Franklin’s dad, Frank, drove a Lamborghini and Papa George took a ride in a Dodge Charger Hellcat. In all cases the cars reached speeds close to 130 mph. He also gave Phillip his 35 millimeter camera, which started Phillip’s love of photography. When Phillip’s passion turned to art, he made several wooden easels b y hand so Phillip could properly display his paintings and drawings. When the cake for Franklin’s graduation was decorated by the baker improperly (being vertical instead of horizontal) he went home and built a cake platform to display the cake properly, making his daughter very happy.
In the last couple of years when he stopped driving long distances, he loved riding, listening to “Smokey’s Soul Town” on XM radio. He couldn’t help but to tap his foot and snap his fingers.
He was a special PaPa to Christopher Hill and Chris’ daughter, Christen. He and Grandma Etta gave Christopher his first car.
He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Ninette (Frank), grandson Phillip, sister-in-law Estelle May, brother -in-laws Melvin Butler (Charlotte), Marvin Butler, grandson in love Chrisopher Hill and Chris’ daughter Christen, and many other nieces, nephews and friends.
He was as strong, quiet, humble man that supported his strong, sassy wife for 67 years. He will be missed.
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