M. Budd Webster

On June 4, 2009, M. Budd Webster reached the end of a long, productive, and fulfilling life. Born June 22, 1916 in Churubusco, Indiana, to Byron Waldo Webster and Jessie Lee, he grew up on a farm in Arcola, IN, where he graduated from Arcola High School. In 1934 he moved with his parents and four brothers to a stock farm in Ladoga, IN. Farming was not to his liking, so he started working as a shipping and receiving clerk for Montgomery Ward, planting the seeds for a fifty five year career in transportation. In 1938 he began working as an electrician, helping to establish electricity to many farms in the area. It was in Ladoga that he met the love of his life, Helen Reed. They were married on August 28, 1940. He then took the position with a trucking company that would set the course for the rest of his working life.

When WWII began, he was recruited by the 517 QM Corp, who needed volunteers with transportation experience to go to Persia (Iran) and haul supplies to Russia. He was in Marseilles France supplying the front lines when the war ended.

After the war he worked as operations manager for Mid-States Freight Lines and subsequently Spector Freight System. In 1961 he moved his family to Toledo, OH, having been chosen to oversee the opening of Spector's new branch terminal there. Budd ran the Toledo operation for Spector until his "first" retirement in 1979. He then went to work for Freightway Corp. on a part time basis until 1991 when he retired for good. During his career in Toledo, Budd was very active in the Toledo Trucking Association, serving as its president in 1970 and 1971 and receiving its lifetime achievement award in 2004. He also served as chairman of the Teamsters' Local 20 Grievance Board for many years.

Budd was active in many bowling and golf leagues, both as organizer and participant. He enjoyed serving as one of the marshals at local PGA events.

Budd is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen Louise (Reed) Webster, one son, Dennis (MaryLou) of Ann Arbor, MI; two daughters, Nancy Veidt of Toledo, OH and Cynthia Jenkinson of Sterling Heights, MI; two grandchildren, Leslie Nankervis and Michael Nankervis (Lindsay); and four great grandchildren, Skylar, Morgan, Landon, and Ryleigh.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 7 from 3-7 P.M. at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey, Toledo (419-473-0300). Burial will take place the following day in Brick Chapel, IN.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.