On Sunday, September 9, 2018, the beloved patriarch and founder of Webco Industries, F. William "Bill" Weber, 92, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed from the loving arms of his three daughters and grand-daughters and into those of his beloved wife, Marty, who preceded him on this journey.
Bill was the first son born to Frank Theodore Weber, a pharmacist, and Helen L. Heym of Pittsburgh, Pa on June 15, 1926, and was followed by his brother, Richard, in 1933.
As a child reared during the Great Depression, Bill often recounted the desperation of men at their door looking for work his grandmother Sadie couldn't give them. When offered a sandwich, they politely refused unless they could earn it. The lessons from these men never left Bill. Their commitment to integrity and honor even in the face of great struggle came to define his life and moral compass.
He graduated from Dormont High School in 1944 and enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army. At war's end, he attended the University of Pittsburgh on the GI Bill, and joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. A young Chi Omega caught his eye, and though Marty Allison turned him down several times, his persistence paid off and within the year they were married at Heinz Memorial Chapel. June 16, 1949 began their 67 year odyssey of love and life, the picture of a partnership.
In 1950, Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree and began his career at Columbia Gas Systems as a Purchaser. In 1954, he joined U.S. Steel, where he worked in field sales and as the Regional Sales Manager for their National Tube Division. Bill and Marty were transferred often, bringing them to Detroit where two daughters were born; to Tulsa, where their youngest daughter was born and Bill received his MBA from the University of Tulsa; back to Pittsburgh and finally to Dallas. In 1969, facing yet another transfer, they decided to risk it all by moving back to Tulsa with their young girls to start their own business, Southwest Tube Mfg., today known as Webco Industries, headquartered in Sand Springs.
Bill and Marty's partnership was critical to the survival and success of the business they built. They traveled the world establishing business relationships to secure the company's future, and to ensure they grew together in experiences. Marty worked by Bill's side at Webco until her retirement in 1994, and remained by his side in life until her passing two years ago.
Bill served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the company which manufactures carbon, stainless and other tubular products, from its inception in 1969 until his daughter, Dana Weber, took over as CEO in 2011. Bill remained Chairman of the Board and was actively involved in daily matters until shortly before his passing.
Webco was founded almost 50 years ago based upon an idea and a commitment to integrity learned 85 years before from those men seeking work at his grandmother's door.
He was a leader, visionary, mentor, and friend to many people who crossed his path. He will be missed, but not forgottn...especially by his Webco family.
He was, above all, a devoted husband, the best Dad and a good, kind man.
He is survived by his three daughters, Kimberly Allison Weber Frank and husband Bradley; Dana Suzette Weber; and Ashley Roye Weber. He is also survived by three grand-daughters, Lauren Ashley Weber Yates and husband Craig; Lindsay Allison Frank; and Rachel Weber Frank Ethridge and husband Michael; his nephew, Richard Mark Weber and niece, Sharon Lynn (Weber) Otto and her husband, Merritt; two great-grandsons Peyton William Frank Ethridge and Jensen Rowdy Yates; and his step-grandchildren Michael Hill, wife Christina and children Caylee and Huxlee; and Natalie Lee and husband Luke.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Martha Rose Allison Weber; his parents Frank T. and Helen L. Weber; his brother Richard Allen Weber and sister-in-law Lois Weber.
Visitation will be from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday, September 16, at Moore's Southlawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm Monday, September 17, at Boston Avenue Methodist Church downtown.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial gifts to: The University of Tulsa c/o the Martha A. and F. William Weber Endowed Scholarship for Business and Engineering. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233. Share a memory with family at www.moorefuneral.com