Melvin Webb Obituary

Melvin Otto Webb, Jr.
January 3, 2025
After a long battle with Parkinson's, on January. 3rd, Mel Webb boarded the 5 a.m. to Eternity. The octogenerian was born in Tennessee, grew up in Michigan and, at 18 years old, joined the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany for two years. His travels in Europe allowed him to leave his grandchild to remember "you will never really know people unless you travel."
With an honorable discharge from the Army, he returned to Michigan and married his high school sweetheart, Joyce-Ca Gwisdalla, who waited for his return while going to nursing school. Together they raised five children, while Mel went to college on the G.I. bill and worked at Pontiac Motor Division.
Mel's passion and knowledge of muscle cars and classic cars was well known by all, evidenced by his many trophies he collected at Michigan drag strips. With his position at Pontiac Motor Division, his children, grandchildren and nephews enjoyed the annual show of meeting the NASCAR drivers and their cars. The annual "Woodward Dream Cruise" was remembered as being in "Bepa's car" during "burn outs". Best remembered were the car shows, as Joey McDonald said of the upper Michigan annual car show "riding across Big Mac in that red Corvette" seeing it rise into the clouds to Heaven.
Upon retirement, Mel and son Scott took on a project to build a house; oldest daughter Melanie resides there in Almont, MI. Due to this project, Michael "Scott" has become a building inspector in Georgia, winning the People's Choice Award three years in a row, he and his wife Sheila.
Mel and Joyce-Ca traveled across America in their motor home and discovered their retirement home in Arizona. The grandchildren reminisce of the times they traveled with them. They also enjoyed anniversary cruises mostly to warm climates, although Mel particularly enjoyed Alaska. They had planned a February anniversary cruise to Hawaii again, but it was not to be. Scott and Sheila continued to provide trips when Mel could no longer drive, making sure he was entertained as well as comfortable. He spent three nights in Wyatt Earp's bed.
Mel enjoyed motorcycle trips with brother-in-law Norman Gwisdalla. Joyce-Ca remembers their motorcycle trips to the Smokey Mountains and to Mammoth Cave.
After retirement, moving to Arizona, Mel volunteered to drive the wheelchair van for Friends In Deed; driving seniors to their doctor appointments. The "job" he particularly enjoyed was bailiff in the local courthouse. He often remarked how much he loved living in Green Valley, AZ. He joined the Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers in 2010; he was a member of the Elks Club.
The last year brought many challenges. Daughters Catherine McDonald and Lisa Oswald, who managed his care for months easing his transition to eternal life, answered that call, along with granddaughters Andrea McDonald and his little companion Lisa Webb.
"I had a good life," he told his daughters.
He leaves behind daughters, Melanie Webb of Michigan, widows Lisa Oswald and Catherine McDonald of Arizona; son, Michael "Scott" Webb (Sheila) of Georgia; grandchildren, Joseph McDonald (Laura) of Georgia, Brittany Romani of Florida, Savannah Webb of Georgia, Micahel Scott, Jr. of Michigan, Cody Otto Webb (Chrissy) of Florida, Paige Marie Webb of Arizona, Andrea McDonald of Arizona, Casimir J. Taylor of Michigan and Katie Stickler of Michigan; great-grandchildren, Isla and Liam mcDonald, Carley and Colton Webb, Lawrenz McLain and Lisa Webb; and sister, Diana Harmon in Michigan. A precious daughter, Carol (Romani) Youngs preceded him in death.
A special thank you to Emblem Hospice for easing his journey to the next life with Jesus. A celebration of life will be held in Arizona and Michigan at a later date. Family and friends will be notified.
His widow, Joyce-Ca Webb, resides in Green Valley.