Champ Wyatt Webb

Champ Wyatt Webb, 69, of Paducah, passed away Jan. 11, 2026, surrounded by his family. Champ was born on May 6, 1956, in Paducah, to the late Lenora "Dean" and Champ Woodrow Webb. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Seay "Sandy" Webb; and his son, Robert Wyatt McDaniel "Daniel" Webb.

Those who knew Champ will remember him like this: sitting in the sun eating a sandwich, laughing with his grandchildren, and telling stories. He's wearing his uniform - blue button-up (with a vest, weather permitting), jeans, and boots. He smells of Joop and black coffee.

Champ grew up in West Paducah and graduated from Heath High School in 1974. He attended Florida International University in Miami, where he played baseball while earning a B.S. in Construction Management, graduating in 1978. In 1976, he and Selina Massey welcomed their son, Champ W. Webb.

After college, Champ moved back to Paducah. Champ married Sandy in 1983 and moved to Austin, Texas, where he worked as a project manager building homes before returning to Paducah to start a family together. There, Champ resumed what became a lifelong pattern: he never worked for anyone but himself. He built homes. He owned bars - first Bogey's and later the Twinkling Star. He sold cameras. When his father passed away, Champ took over his hog and hay operations. Champ spent 40 years hauling hay across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Champ and Sandy welcomed their first daughter, Brook, in 1986, and together they built a family life that revolved around work, ballfields, and a deep belief in showing up for each other and their children.

Though his occupations varied, Champ's interests were consistent. He was deeply proud of his country and he loved baseball. He wrote, pondered, and debated, and he especially loved anyone willing to do those things with him. He never did anything half-hearted - he carried strong opinions, original thoughts, and a curiosity for history, economics, politics, and spirituality. Champ was a strong believer in God.

Champ was funny - often without trying to be - and that made him unforgettable. He never finished a soda he opened. He could not be on time for anything other than a baseball game. His children were late to school more mornings than not. This habit was known as running on "Webb time."

His long trips across the Commonwealth became time for thinking, reflecting, and jotting down ideas. Champ's sayings, often personalized versions of quotes from thinkers he admired, were plentiful and worth remembering: "Refresh others and you too shall be refreshed." Or, "never tell them where you're going or where you've been." Champ never failed to quietly extend words of wisdom like a helping hand during a difficult time.

Champ was proud - not only of his children, but of their teams, their friends, and the worlds they built around them. He spent countless hours at the ballfield with his kids, especially Daniel. He never missed a game. Each of his children carried something different from him: Champ W. took an interest in homes, coffee, and music. Daniel inherited his love of baseball and the habit of never leaving the house without his work gloves. Caroline took his sweet tooth and work ethic. Brook and Reagan inherited his "no questions asked" loyalty and instinct to show up when needed - even without being asked. Together, they all inherited his unwavering commitment to family.

No doubt Champ will be deeply missed. Years ago, he bought jewelry boxes for his daughters and found himself wondering what he would leave behind - what his legacy would be. He was thinking in tangible terms. Sandy told him that his legacy - his "box" - was his family. Today, there's no question that Champ's box is full and our own legacies a little brighter for having known him.

He is survived by his siblings, Gregory "Greg" Webb (Nicole), Jean Radcliffe and Jane Ragland; his children, Champ W. Webb, Brook Webb, Caroline Bouren (Hayden), and Reagan Webb; and by his grandchildren, Champ Woodrow Webb (Erica), Gabriel "Gabe" James Webb, Jackson Brooks Diaz, Sandy Belle Bouren (who called Champ "grandiddy"), Hayes McDaniel Bouren (Champ's best friend), Murphy W. Bouren, Kimber Rose Webb, and Baylie Kaye Webb. He is also survived by his partner, Vickey Weatherford Cowart, his daughter-in-law, Melissa Baus Webb; his sister-in-law, Roxane Price (Kenneth); and many other family members and countless friends whom he deeply cared for and who deeply cared for him.

Friends and family are invited to attend services at Milner and Orr Funeral Home at 120 Memorial Drive in Paducah, Kentucky. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at Maplelawn Park Cemetery in Paducah.

In lieu of flowers, the Webb family asks friends to donate funds to Blood Cancer United.