Bryan Douglas was born Monday, May 21, 1945 to Arthur Ralston and Evelyn Dorothy (Krug) Webb in Walkerton, Ontario. He was the youngest of three boys; Lloyd (1939) and Clarence (1943). Later Mineke Koeslag age 13 joined their family. Mineke’s family emigrated from Holland.
Bryan’s parents farmed in Greenock Township where Arthur was born. The Webb family attended the Glammis Baptist Church, where Bryan’s faith journey began. He accepted Christ as his personal Saviour at a young age. The Webb children also attended S.S. #6 Narva, a one room school house. It was also around the young age of 5 that Bryan began to show an interest in carpentry. He earned his first watch by carrying nails to the carpenter while building a home for farm workers. As he got older, he continued to learn carpentry skills through many similar experiences.
At the age of 12 Bryan bought his first piece of property in Inverhuron for $300. Shortly after completing his high school education at Walkerton District Secondary School, Bryan attended Baptist Leadership Training School in Brantford for seven months. Not only was Bryan adventurous by going away to school, he also worked towards earning his pilot’s license during this time as well, which he received in 1963.
Bryan’s brother Lloyd attended Adelaide Street Baptist church in London with a cute young woman by the name of Kathryn Mary Palmer. Bryan and Kathryn met at a New Year’s Eve party at Lloyd’s home in 1965. The young couple soon established a close connection that flourished over the next several months. They were married September 24, 1966 by Reverend Bill Steeper at the Adelaide Baptist Church in London, Ontario where Kathryn had grown up. Lloyd often teased that Bryan brought a city girl to the country. In time the Webb family grew as Mark was born in 1968, Lisa in 1970, Krista in 1974, Diana in 1975 and Brenda in 1978.
Bryan’s father had serious health issues and after their marriage Bryan returned to help on the 400 acre farmland raising cattle, pigs and chickens. He and Kathryn lived on one of the farms. In time they bought part of the farm and raised broiler chickens in two large barns and had cattle on pasture land. Because of his love for dogs, he also raised dogs on the farm – Samoyeds and German Shepherds. He continued to love dogs and kept them as pets for most of his life. In 1973 he sold the farm because he wanted to work more with people. In 1974, the couple bought a small piece of the land on the corner and built a new home. Bryan did all the framing and acted as the contractor for the remaining of the build. He was hired part time by Youth for Christ and got his Real Estate licence during this time.
In 1974, Bryan and Kathryn bought a 92 acre grass farm on the outskirts of Paisley. For the next four years the couple worked hard building and establishing Inspiration Place Retreat Centre. Once completed in 1978, the family moved there and continued to run the facility through 1990. It was hard work but personally satisfying to meet lots of people and a great place to raise their family. It was in 1975 that Bryan also started teaching woodworking at Walkerton District High School. He obtained his Ontario Teacher’s Certificate in 1978. Bryan also obtained his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo by correspondence. This gave him even more flexibility in his teaching vocation to teach other subjects. For the next 27 ½ years Bryan dedicated his life to teaching and retired in 2002. Inspiration Place was bought by Christian Horizons becoming a retreat centre for those with special needs.
After moving from Inspiration Place, they built a new home just outside Paisley, which has been his home ever since.
Throughout his life, Bryan raised his children, supported his students at school and encouraged those in his faith community. Bryan had many other interests aside from building, woodworking, flying and riding his motorcycle. He loved to participate in sports, like tennis, downhill skiing, old-timer hockey, softball, curling and lawn bowling to name a few. He also enjoyed gardening and spending time on his boats. Bryan also lived out his faith by serving as an elder at Immanuel Evangelical Missionary Church in Paisley. Over the years, Bryan enjoyed many different roles within the church, including helping with the youth, church camps, playing music, mission trips to Haiti and being involved with leadership programs. To say the least, Bryan was always busy and a hard worker.
Music was always a big part of Bryan’s life. His love of music began with his family when he was very young. Their family created a musical group and played at local churches. He loved playing the piano and brass instruments. He joined and was part of the Grey Bruce Singers and then Paisley Community Choir for many years.
His favourite time of year was spring. He enjoyed reading and keeping abreast of world, national, provincial and community affairs. Family and friends, of course were also very important.
He did enjoy visiting Florida, especially St. Petersburg. Often he and Kathryn would drive down and spend anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months down there, relaxing and enjoying each other’s company.
Bryan appreciated others who were honest, dependable, loving and careful. In turn, he saw himself as dependable and responsible. The best piece of advice Bryan received was from his grandmother, was “Don’t buy it without having the money for it!”
The most important thing has been passing along his faith to those he interacts with. Throughout all the different aspects of his life, there have been many opportunities which he has embraced, most importantly, his children and grandchildren. A few years ago, he wrote a letter to each of his grandchildren expressing his desire that each one of them would receive Jesus as their personal Saviour as well.
Sadly, Bryan Douglas Webb of Paisley, passed away surrounded by his loving family, at the Hanover Care Centre on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 in his 73rd year.
Beloved husband of Kathryn. Loving father of Mark (Kristen) of Hanover, Lisa (Andrew) Ireland of Ajax, Krista (Elliot) Dixon of Bond Head, Diana Teal of Goderich and Brenda (Mark) Coghlin of Ilderton. Cherished grandfather of Megan, Addison, Shannon, Brenden, Sarah, Gabriel, Mackenzie, Jesse, Coleman, Walker, Oakley, Jarvis, Paxton, Sterling and Myla. Dear brother of Mineke (Bill) Spencer and brother-in-law of Nancy Webb. He was predeceased by his brothers Lloyd (the late Doreen), Clarence, and his parents Arthur and Evelyn (Krug) Webb.
A celebration of Bryan’s life will be held at Immanuel Evangelical Missionary Church, Paisley (307 Balaklava Street) on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 2 p.m. with visitation two hours prior to the service. Spring interment in Purdy Cemetery, Greenock Township.
Memorial donations to Immanuel Evangelical Missionary Church or the charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
