Mr. Webster Hazard Heath's Obituary
Webster Hazard Heath, age 100, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 7, 2013 at his son's home in Westlake, Texas.
Webster was born March 8, 1913 in Rodman, New York, to Florence (Hiller) and Preston Heath. He spent his childhood attending the Zoar school and working the family dairy farm with his father, mother, and sisters. They also made maple syrup and farmed cash crops. Living through the Great Depression, he made his early living on the family farm, working on the county road crew, the stone quarry, and chauffeuring.
He met his bride, Doris Greene, at the Zoar school where she was hired as the teacher for all grade levels (1-8). They were married on April 17, 1938. Farming was Webster's early calling. He worked and managed two dairy farms before purchasing his own. As he was one of the first area farmers to adopt tractors and gasoline powered equipment, he was often called upon by other farmers to help harvest their crops: hay, oats, corn. By the early 50's, he added school bus driving to his busy life.
In 1956, he sold his farm and became a full time school bus driver. He made morning, mid-day, evening, after school sports runs, away games, field trips, vocational ed runs, any and all else. "Web", as he was known, retired at the age of 62 from South Jefferson Central school district receiving special recognition for 21 years of accident free driving.
With simultaneous retirement from South Jeff, he and Doris moved to Sebring Florida where they initially spent winters while summering at their cottage on Lake Ontario. They enjoyed many retirement years with their RVs and camping associations. He was Wagonmaster of Silver Sams #1 for 22 years, member of the Hi-Dee's, charter member of the Florida Board and charter member of the Golden Anniversary Sams. Together, Doris and Webster traveled extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.
He was active in his Florida community as a volunteer driver for the elderly and organizing major projects such as street repaving. After 35 years in Sebring, Webster moved to Westlake, Texas to live with his son and daughter-in-law Debra Heath.
Doris preceded him on September 14, 2002. Also preceding were older sister Angie (1932) and younger sister Viola (1983). Survivors include twin sisters Anna Conway of Adams, New York and Florence Martin of Cornwall, New York, daughter Elaine Grieco of Morriston, Florida, son Allen Heath of Westlake, Texas, 3 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Doris and Webster Heath Award. This award recognizes interest, ability and need of South Jeff students. Checks can be made payable to:
South Jefferson Central School,
Attn: Doris and Webster Heath Award, PO Box 10, Adams, NY 13605.
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