PHAWKER: Wee Willie Webber turned us onto Ultraman when we were, like, seven — and we remain eternally grateful. Goodnight Mr. Webber, wherever you are.
INQUIRER: William W. Webber, 80, a fixture on Philadelphia radio and TV for more than 50 years, died Sunday of a heart attack at Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia while awaiting heart surgery there later this week, his son, William W. Jr., said. He lived on Rittenhouse Square. Known as Wee Willie at 6 feet, 5 inches, Mr. Webber was a workhorse, a host of children’s TV shows and a radio disc jockey, often on the same days. In 1956, he became host of a two-hour morning children’s cartoon show on Channel 6 that ran into the ’60s. From 1965 to 1976, he hosted an after-school cartoon show on Channel 17. And for three more years, his afternoon cartoon show was on Channel 48. Mr. Webber was especially proud, his son said, of “his longevity in Philadelphia.” On local radio and TV stations, “people don’t last very long. They tend to be in a market and then move on to another market.” Mr. Webber “wore well.” More than that, his son said, “I think he was proud of helping to raise a couple generations of kids with the kids’ shows on Channels 6, 17, and 48.” MORE