Austin "Webby" Webster

Austin James Webster

April 2, 1945 - September 1, 2024

MAUSTON - Austin James Webster - "Webby" passed away peacefully at Tomah Health's Serenity House on 9/1/24. He was born on 4/2/45 to Joe and Lena Webster, residing in Darlington, WI until he graduated high school in the late 1960s. He then headed to UW La Crosse to play basketball and baseball while also earning his teaching degree.

After college Jim married Pam (Gibson) Webster and moved to Mauston where he started his teaching and coaching career at Mauston High School while also started his family. He soon became the Athletic Director while continuing his teaching and coaching responsibilities. At his retirement years party ago he was asked to name the best highlight of his career. Without hesitation, he responded "Teaching all of those kids how to swim!" Webby took great pride in running the Mauston Pool program and had tremendous success in making it the 'go-to' place in central Wisconsin for kids to learn how to swim. It was estimated that he had taught well over 30,000 students how to swim and countless others the importance of physical activity for a healthy life.

Webby's coaching career in Mauston got off to an incredible start with his team earning a trip to the Wisconsin State Basketball tournament in the early 1970's. He had another good shot at returning with his 1986 team, another one of his favorite groups of young men to coach. Webby had so many wonderful basketball, football and referring stories and friends - it would be impossible to mention them all here. To sum it up, Webby was proudly inducted into the Mauston High School Athletic Hall of Fame and had the opportunity to celebrate with past players and coaches alike in 2013.

Webby was a simple man who, if you knew him, you either loved him or hated him. Sometimes both. He was a straight shooter who always called it as he saw it - not always appreciated by the masses. Either way, Webby positively touched the lives of so many young people through teaching, coaching, mentoring and providing what necessities he could afford to provide on a single dad's teaching salary. People mattered to him more than money and things ... privately helping wherever he could to help kids in need was what he did best.

Webby is survived by his grandson Kyle, his daughter Lori, his son Alan, his daughter-in-law Bobbi, his sister Ruth and his sister-in-law Rosie. Webby is also survived by 3 lifelong friends who each came to see him during his final days including Dennis Laridaen, Terry Thomas and Gary Haugh ... each sharing their own unique racing, sports and partying stories of the past.

A heartfelt thank you to the caring and compassionate staff at Tomah Health's Serenity House in Tomah, the Gundersen Neurosciences team in La Crosse and Brad Ingram and his staff at Elroy Family Medical Center. The level of care and attention to detail at all three facilities was incredible. Overwhelming gratitude to all of the healthcare teammates who assisted with Webby's testing and care.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com