Charles Vernon Webb

Obituary for Charles Vernon Webb

Charles Vernon Webb, age 90, of Ballinger passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at Ballinger Healthcare and Rehab Center of kidney failure.

Charles was born March 31, 1922 in Ballinger. He was the only child of Vernon and Bessie Lee (Davenport) Webb, long time Ballinger and Bethel farmers in Runnels County. His parents preceded him in death. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church.

He graduated from Ballinger High School and attended business school in Abilene. On December 4, 1942 he was sworn in as an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps. Charles served as a pilot on a B-24 bomber during World War II. He was shot down July 7, 1944 on his 42nd mission. The plane crashed in southern Hungary, and he was held as a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III until being liberated by Patton’s Army at the end of World War II. Charles was discharged December 20, 1945 as a first lieutenant in 757th Bomb Sq, 459th Bomber Group.

After returning from serving his country, Charles worked locally in Ballinger. He was active in the Ballinger Volunteer Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief for 17 years. He was also the Commander of the Ex-POW Association.

He worked for Union Texas Petroleum at Sykes Field in Crews, Texas, and then transferred to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he completed a 30-year career as plant manager of the underground storage terminal located at Choctaw/Plaquemine, LA.

Charles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Stella Fruge Webb; his daughters, JoAnne Webb and Mike Truitt of San Angelo, TX; Charlotte Stuard of Iraan, TX; and son, Don Charles Webb and wife, Amy, of Baton Rouge, LA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Karen Gothard of San Angleo, Laurie and Tim Baxter of San Angelo, and Tracy and Dustin Lee of San Angelo; Melissa and Kurt Hanna of Iraan; Erin and Casey Thompson of Arlington, TX; and Cooper Don Webb of Baton Rouge; his great-grandchildren, Kendall and Barrett Thompson of Arlington, Kayin Hanna of Iraan, Ketch and Jayton Lee of San Angelo, and Makayla Baker and Dausen Walker of San Angelo.

A time of visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, September 14 at Lange Funeral Home from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 15 at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Ballinger with Rev. Buddy Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Old Runnels Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Anthony DeMory and the second floor staff at Shannon Clinic, the staff at Ballinger Healthcare and Rehab Center, and Odyssey Hospice of San Angelo.