Walter W. Webster Jr.

Walter “Woody” Webster, age 77 of Appleton, passed away on December 26, 2023, at Oakridge Gardens Nursing Home in Menasha of gastric cancer.  He was born on March 29, 1946, in New London, Wisconsin, the son of Walter and Enida (Radtke) Webster.

Woody was a retired Santa Claus and a retired technician from AT&T.  He enjoyed participating in many groups including: Fox Valley Muzzle Loaders, Historic Point Basse, NWTF National Wild Turkey Federation and Challenge the Outdoors. Woody valued being a hunter and sharing his knowledge with young hunters through his many years as a Hunter Education/Safety Instructor. For decades, he reveled in being a Rendezvous History Reenactor. Most of all, Woody absolutely treasured his time as Santa Claus, bringing joy and laughter to many children as well as adults.

Woody is survived by children Regina Webster, Philip (Shawn) Webster; grandchildren Riley Webster, Spencer Webster, and Andrew Webster; siblings Lissa (Corliss-Enida) Loose, and Mark Webster; niece Samantha Loose; honorary brother Norm French; former wife Pamela Schweitzer and adopted son Fredrick Schweitzer.

Woody is preceded in death by his parents; Walter Webster, Sr. and Enida Webster. 

Visitation and Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Wichman Funeral Home,1592 Oneida Street, Appleton 54914, with Pastor Mark Krueger officiating. Visitation is from 9:00 to 11:00 am, Memorial Service begins at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, we are accepting memorial contributions which will be donated to Challenge the Outdoors, a non-profit organization that offers events and services to the disabled sportsperson and their friends and families. Challenge the Outdoors became very important to Woody after the amputation of his leg and offered him a way to stay connected to being an outdoorsman and socializing with others.

A special thank you to the staff at Oakridge Gardens for their care and compassion during Woody’s last days. We would also like to thank the Wisconsin Veterans Village Association, Inc. for their kindness and support while Woody lived in their community.  To his homecare team, Barb and Ann, a heartfelt thank you as you made an enormous difference to Woody’s quality of life.