Peter Webster Palmer

Peter Webster Palmer died on the day he started his 91st year, September 21, 2021. He was admitted into a hospice hospital, just hours after celebrating his birthday with friends and family. Peter was famous for playing the lead role in Lil Abner, both on Broadway and in the film. On stage, he performed in Oklahoma, Carousel, Brigadoon, and Lorelei (with Carol Channing). He guest starred on many TV shows including The Ed Sullivan Show, This is Your Life, M*A*S*H, Three's Company, The Rockford Files, Dallas, and co-starred in two weekly TV series: Custer and The Kalikaks. Peter also had the honor of singing for four sitting presidents. His favorite co-star was his leading lady on stage and in life, Aniko Farrell (Miss Canada and Miss World 1964) They were married 45 years. Their favorite play was called I Do, I Do, a two-person musical about a couple's long marriage. Peter often said that role just gave him another opportunity to "talk to my wife, only we were on stage". Other highlights in their careers were singing together for the troops in Vietnam, and creating the Palmer Academy, teaching singing and acting techniques in Temple Terrace, Florida.
Peter was born on September 20, 1931, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Marion (Kastern) and Allen Palmer, and he had an older brother, Mort. Peter grew up in St. Louis, played football and sang in the chorus at Clayton High School. Offered an athletic scholarship as an offensive tackle, he became the first music major to letter in football at the University of Illinois (Rose Bowl and twice Big Ten champions while on the team). As a senior, he sang the National Anthem before each home game, dressed in his football uniform. He also met Jackalee Gleason and had five children during their marriage, 1954-1964.
A contest he won after college brought him to Hollywood, and he met with the major movie studios. He was fortuitously drafted into the Army and won the "The All-Army Entertainment Contest" which showcased the winners on "The Ed Sullivan Show". He was offered the part of Lil Abner when the Broadway producers saw him perform on TV, thus jumpstarting his career.
After the passing of his wife Aniko, Peter moved to Shelbyville in 2011. He made many friends through his associations with the Centenary United Methodist Church, the Shelbyville Community Theater, the McDonald's Guys, and the local dog park with his favorite Doberman, Stryker (immortalized on a bank building, downtown).
Peter's last performance was March 16, 2019, when the Community Theater presented "An Evening with Peter Palmer" where he reminisced and sang several songs including "Still in the Game". The performance was shared with his children Sherri Hunter (Scott) of Palm Coast, Florida; Scott Palmer (Karen) of San Mateo, Florida; Kathy Fisher (Kenny) of Flagler Beach, Florida; Michael Palmer (Eileen) of Forked River, New Jersey; Steven Palmer (Laura) of Fort Myers, Florida; Farrell Bacon (Michael) of Simpsonville, Kentucky; and Jack Bergen (Kathy) of Moline, Illinois. Peter is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 6 nephews. A funeral service has been planned for 10:00 am on October 9th at Centenary United Methodist Church, Shelbyville, KY. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Centenary Church, The Shamrock Foundation of Louisville or The Shelby County Community Theater.
Rest easy our dear friend and father. The final curtain has fallen, but the applause will go on.