"Wee Willie" Webber has passed away
The TV icon was 80.
"Wee Willie" Webber has passed away
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Bill Webber (via WHAT)
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.
Comments (51)
Astro Boy, Marine Boy, Prince Planet, Tobar the 8th Man, Three Stooges (remember kids, don't imitate the Stooges at home). Wee Willie was a huge part of my childhood. I was just talking about him the other day, too. May the bluebird of happiness guide you along your way, Wee Willie. :-(— tommcdev- I will miss Wee Willy. Always a good guy with the best music. RIP.— richw38
- Steve5444 you're the only other person on the planet that I ever saw who remembered the name Elmo Wiffleweather!!!— TomH
- Not to quibble craigaa52 but it was Breakfast Time, not Breakfat Club. I remember a contest to give Elmo a last name. I entered but didn't win. The winning entry - Elmo Wiffleweather.— TomH
I remember Wee Willy Webber when he was on Channel 17 back in the late 1960s. He was a great guy! Rest in peace, Mr. Webber!- Wow!I use to watch Mr Weber on the TV as a kid and enjoyed his various radio programs a young adult. My condolences to his wife and children.— vrb1955
- Wee Willie was a major piece of my life way back when. I hope life after TV was good to him. Farewell buddy...
- It is a sad day me and my brothers and sisters love to watch wee willie webber.they dont make shows like that no more I will keep the family in prayer. Rest in peace Mr webber— Donald159
- WOW... we willie gone...— William Penn
- Brings back memories of when it was great to be a kid in Philly. Rest in Peace Mr. Webber Sincere sympathies to his family and friends.— antaresscorpio
- I happened to work with Bill in my early days in radio back in the 70's. Wee Willie was part of the legendary old school guys that wore a jacket and tie to the station most days to do his radio show. Always had a smile on his face, always had something nice to say and never walked past you in the halls of the Wellington building where WIP was located then without a big smile and a big hello. A really nice guy and lots of great memories on this unfortunate day.— rickyt
- His son Bill Webber Jr was a DJ on WMMR ... late 60's early 70's I think ... he is mentioned here ... what is he doing now, I wonder?— johnpilecki
- I remember him as a kid growing up in Morton. My Dad worked for Channel 17 at the time and knew him. One day my Dad told my older brother and I that we could be in a commercial with Wee Willie Webber. This was in the late 60s. We were so excited! We had to do about 3 or 4 takes because I kept pulling my long hair behind my shoulders and the director wanted it in front. Wee Willie kept a smile on his face and was soooo nice to me afterwards. A really nice guy!! R.I.P. Wee Willie!!— Toria
- To craigaa53..yes the full name was elmo wiffel weather...sorry to lose another baby boomer icon.
- I am so sorry to hear about Wee Willie's passing. I listened to him on 1340. Growing up I remember that one of the department stores in center city hired him to babysit children while their parents shopped. I guess it was a courtesy thing to bring people to their stores. I was dropped off and picked up a few hours later. If I remember correctly, we watched a film. I will really miss him.— marykate
- i met him and Sally Starr and Pixanne at a PBS special event. He was unbelievably kind. Condolences to his family!— einreb
- From way down here in Mexico on Ex Philadelphians are saddened about the passing of who always seemed and acted like a kind hearted man. Egoless Philly media legends such as John Facenda, Gunner Back and too many others to recall, did their jobs in a brilliant, low-key manner and seemed comfortable in their own skin. Those of us who can remember back to the"golden age" of TV which were in black-and-white where there were only Channels, Three, Six and Ten. All of todays anchors etc. stand on their shoulders. R.I.P. Wee Willie Webber
- all the local tv/radio people from when I was a kid are leaving us. Wish someone can stop time.— unknownblogger
I used to watch his show every day in the mid 1960's. Like Slade says, it was mostly Japanese cartoons/animation. I think there was also Prince Planet and Ultraman.— ICDogg- Watching the Breakfast Club on Channel Six was a weekday ritual before walking to school. I have fond memories of his show and characters such as Charlie Chin Chopper and Elmo WiF O'Weather (I even had a toy replica Elmo). Whenever I would hear Bill's voice, I would think back to my years growing up. Rest in Peace, old friend.— davejnkntwn
- Yes, he and Dr. Shock were everything back while we were growing up. Rest in peace, Sir. Thanks for the awesome childhood memories.— WantToKnow
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- 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
- a sad day for Philly.— denyll
- southphilly42 mirrors my thoughts. RIP Willie.— greenie
- 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
- 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
- Until recently I would see WWW at Dunkin' Donuts @ 20th & Chestnut Sts. around 8am buying a coffee. Did he live nearby?— BobbyD
- 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
- 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
- loved his voice. nothing like today. his laugh. made you listen. another legend gone. but not forgotten.— bellan
- Wee Willie Weber what a class act. Use to listen to him on WIP. Anybody remember "Chicken Man"?— thenightshepherd
- the first time i was on tv it was the wee willie webber show what a memory— gruck24
- 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
- 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
Comment removed.- I remember how he'd announce "It's 3 o'clock in the Delaware Valley and time for..." and how he'd stretch it out. I always was excited when he announced Prince Planet was coming up. Rest in Peace, dear Radio friend.— mulberry
- Many years ago,during the depths of the Cuban Missle Crisis, he suggested that kids get their parents to the TV set and change over to the Today show on NBC (WRCV in those days on Channel 3), because they were going to broadcast live coverage from the White House in Washington and Channel 6 (ABC) was not able to at that exact time. Imagine someone doing that today: R.I.P., Mr. Webber.— JDVol
- I remember Wee Willie Webber on Channel 17 and watching Japanese TV shows like Astro Boy,Marine Boy and the Fantastic 8th Man.— slade1955
- Comment removed.
- I had the honor and privilege to meet and know Mr. Webber in the late 70's/early 80's. He was always the gentlemen and so kind to everyone in the office. As a child growing up and watching him everyday,when I first met him on an adult professional level; I was a kid again. May you rest in peace and thanks for allowing us the enjoyment only you can give.— Centrist
- Rest in peace, Wee Willie. Memories of your conversations with "Charlie Chin Chopper" still make me smile.— deucey
- Early 1900's Baseball Hall of Famer Wee Willie Keeler bears the nickname "Wee Willie" . . . who tried to take Mr. Keeler's nickname and attach it years later to Mr. Webber? Regardless, condolences to Bill Webber and his family. As an aside, Wee Willie Keeler is the one who coined the famed phrase in baseball that the key to hitting is that a batter's "gotta hit it where they ain't."— Truth B. Told
- As a kid growing up in the 50s/60s...turn on the radio,turn on the TV,Bill Webber was there.A true pioneer in local broadcasting.Good luck with your next gig,Bill.— oakster
- Another local icon. I'm old enough to remember "Breakfast Club" on channel 6. The weather was delivered by (I think) Elmo who was a toy unicycle rider on a wire. Peace and Blessings to Mr. Webber and his extended family.— craigaa52
- Had sad. Condolences to his family. Rest in peace Wee Willie.— mrsdoc
Another piece of my Philly heart is sent to heaven, thank you for helping to make my childhood wonderful.- Thanks for a lot of happy childhood memories watching you on Channel 17 on a black and white Sears TV in Vineland.— MarstonJJ
A Philly Legend for sure, rest in 'HIS PEACE' WEE WILLIE....John Ullman- We adored Wee Willie Webber. We wee ones didn't realize the joke -- none of us knew Wee Willie was so tall. His intros got longer and longer (Munchkin voice): "Here he isssss -- Weeeeee Wiiiiillliieee!"— DwightinDC
- Another Philly media pioneer, who really seemed to be a nice guy; Rest in Peace, Mr. Weber.— southphilly42
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Michael Klein, the editor/producer of philly.com/Food, writes about the local restaurant scene in his Inquirer column "Table Talk." Have a question? Email it! See his Inquirer work here.
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