"Wee Willie" Webber has passed away
The TV icon was 80.
"Wee Willie" Webber has passed away
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Bill "Wee Willie" Webber, who at 6-foot-5 was one of the giants of broadcasting in the Philly area, died this morning of an apparent heart attack at age 80.
He had heart trouble of late, according to Gerry Wilkinson of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia.
Philadelphians of a certain age grew up with the mellifluous Mr. Webber, whose rich career included Channel 6 (the morning kiddie show called Breakfast Time) and its "Famous 56" AM radio station before joining WIP as a middle-of-the-road DJ.
His was the voice that introduced American Bandstand in its Philadelphia incarnation. While at Channel 3 and at KYW, he spun the last record on KYW before it went all-news. Mr. Webber was let go from KYW TV to make way for Mike Douglas.
A Broadcast Pioneers bio notes that in 1965, just after his layoff, he became the first face on Channel 17. For 10 years, he hosted the "Wee Willie Webber Colorful Cartoon Club," and then moved to Channel 48.
From 1989 to 2005, he was on WPEN before its flip to sports talk. He'd been doing a late-morning show, Second Cup of Coffee, on WHAT (1340 AM).
Mr. Webber was chairman of the Broadcast Pioneers board. He is survived by his wife, Constance, and children Bill Jr. and Wendy.
Check back for funeral arrangements.
Comment removed.
Bill along with Sally Starr were the best. Sally is still around. Some giants have passed on. Captain Philadelphia-Stu Nahan, Bertie the Bunyip and Lee Dexter and Pete Boyle.— Drew777- A fond memory of Philly's golden age for everything. Hopefully the Flyers will put some badly needed good memories in our minds for Philly in 2010.— snorkle
- the first time i was on tv it was the wee willie webber show what a memory— gruck24
- Wee Willie Weber what a class act. Use to listen to him on WIP. Anybody remember "Chicken Man"?— thenightshepherd
- loved his voice. nothing like today. his laugh. made you listen. another legend gone. but not forgotten.— bellan
- He was the best part about coming home, besides my Mom, after school. Great memories abound! God Bless you, because you sure did bless us.— Gaelicmumm
- Bill Webber's family need to know that he brightened the lives of children from our era for generations. If that was even his only legacy, what a wonderful one to take to heaven.— Bob1
- Until recently I would see WWW at Dunkin' Donuts @ 20th & Chestnut Sts. around 8am buying a coffee. Did he live nearby?— BobbyD
- Coming home from school in the afternoon and watching Astro Boy and Tobor the Eighth Man was just what we did. And if you din't know Tobor was robot spelled backwards you just weren't paying attention.— JLH
- I remember when he was on WIP and being disappointed when he left or the format changed. He was very personable and plesant. I identified with him, he was a real Philadelphian.— backhandgrip
- southphilly42 mirrors my thoughts. RIP Willie.— greenie
- a sad day for Philly.— denyll
- I will never forget Wee Willie and his great cartoons: Astro Boy, TOBOR the 8th Man etc. Made my afternoons as a child. Rest In Peace!— jojo57
I remember growing up in Mount Airy. I attended McCloskey elementary and we always watched Wee Willie Weber and Doctor Shock. I also remember going to Channel 17 and being part of the studio audience. I think it was behind the Pathmark on Ivy Hill Rd. You will be missed Wee Willie, R.I.P.— Philly62
