Byron R. Webster

Byron Richard Webster was born February 18,1947 in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in the Mercer neighborhood of Shaker Heights. His mother, Avonelle, was a piano teacher and his father, Richard, worked as a CPA. His younger brother, Greg, kept everyone busy, ordering alligators in the mail and attempting to ride his tricycle to New York City. Byron shouldered extra responsibilities when his father died while he was in high school. He worked at the steel plant and as a postal worker. Byron graduated from Shaker High School in 1965, a year before his future, but as of then unacquainted, wife, Tina Moisio. Byron attended Ohio University along with lifelong friends like Brent Larkin, who had these words to share:

“Byron and I met 59 years ago. We were sophomores at Ohio University, part of a group of about a dozen who became inseparable friends. In the three years that followed, we lived together, partied together, spent our weekends together, and every spring traveled together to Adolf’s little motel on Route A1A in Ft. Lauderdale, about two miles north of the Elbow Room.

What we didn’t do together was visit the library. We left that to Byron (we called him “Webby.”) He was the best and most conscientious student, our unofficial leader, the one we trusted implicitly.

Those traits that endeared us to him in Athens traveled with Byron the rest of his life. Our friendship took us to baseball and hockey games, and hundreds of mornings on the golf course. He was a kind and gracious friend, an even better husband, father and grandfather.

I began to miss him the moment Tina told me we had lost him.”

After five years of fun and studies, Byron graduated from OU in 1970 with a degree in engineering. He immediately began what would be a lifelong career at General Electric. From Tungsten Road to Nela Park, he worked his way through filaments and assembly (and an MBA from Case Western) to sales and management. The friendships and relationships cultivated over 40 years at GE were strong and long-lasting. He is remembered for his antics, dedication, and institutional knowledge, and even more for his kindness, by so many with whom he worked. His friend and co-worker Martin Kolb shared this glimpse into their relationship:

“Byron Richard Webster – a shining light of a person and a special friend. I met Byron on my first day in GE Lighting, July 6, 1981, at the Tungsten Products Plant. We hit it off right from the start. A few years later our job positions took us in different directions, but our personal foundation was strong and secure. For the next 30 years that we worked together in Lighting, Byron was honest, fun, committed, unpretentious, nourishing, blunt, humorous, loyal, inspiring, generous, a team player, and a great example to me and many others, all qualities that I greatly admire. My life at GE was so enriched by Byron.

We joked with each other in everything we did, be it business, golf, or life. He loved to remind me that I was the new kid at GE even after 20 years, an inexperienced father who needed advice from a worldly father like himself, a challenged golfer especially on the first tee, and a guy who could not make the promise dates on new products or deliveries. I could go on for a long time with more stories about Byron. He was just such a pleasure to be with.

It pained me to watch Byron’s health deteriorate these last years, knowing he was unlikely to recover from this horrible illness. In the times we were together, frequently on the back doorstep of his house, he never complained. Not Byron. Instead, he demonstrated great courage, concern for his family, and gratitude for all the blessings that had been bestowed on him.

What a fine example for all of us. We have lost a special person. The world is a lesser place without Byron Webster.”

His successes at GE offered opportunities elsewhere, but his devotion to his immediate and extended family kept him firmly rooted in Cleveland. His long days and longer worldwide travel for GE were paired with many hours golfing and fishing and, most importantly, time spent with family. He married Christina Webster on October 20, 1973. Their son Matt was born in 1976 and daughter Jill in 1979. Annual trips to Salt Fork, activities like snow skiing and water skiing, house painting and light bulb lessons, and Rawnsdale block parties were all a part of what his children remember. Byron learned the rules of hockey when Matt decided to play so that he could coach his son. He taught Jill how best to arrange the lighting shelves at the store with all the GE bulbs front and center. Although the family never traveled to Asia together, where Byron spent many a work trip, they visited GE clients in Hungary and England and toured Germany and Italy together. Some of the most memorable trips were ones closer to home, including long drives to Florida with their close friends the Means. Byron and Tina’s friendship with Bob and Cathy Means began when the children were little and continues to this day. All four children served as best men and maids of honor in each other’s weddings. The Means and Websters remain like family, and Bob shared his love and true understanding of who Byron was with this tribute:

“There are rare individuals who leave an immediate and indelible mark upon your life. Meeting Byron forty years ago was one of those moments. What began as an introduction to a kind and devoted family man blossomed into a four-decade journey—a friendship that matured into the status of extended family. Through the shared milestones of our children and grandchildren, our lives became inextricably linked.

The longevity of this bond was rooted in Byron’s character. He was a man of remarkable constancy, choosing the stability of his hometown and the company of his loved ones over professional prestige elsewhere. His career at GE Lighting was a testament to his loyalty, but his true vocation was the cultivation of relationships. He possessed the rare skill of transforming business acquaintances into kindred spirits through shared experiences and a legendary generosity of heart.

Byron was a man of humility who preferred to shine the spotlight on the achievements of his descendants rather than his own. Though he was known for his "prodigious" drives on the golf course—and a memorable, persistent battle with the sands of St. Andrews—his greatest pride always remained his family.

While many are measured by their financial success, Byron’s enduring legacy is his investment in people. He leaves behind a wealth of joy and a family strengthened by his devotion. We are the grateful beneficiaries of a life lived with purpose, selflessness, and love.”

Byron retired from GE in December of 2014 and was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2016. He was initially given a window of only 1-2 years of life expectancy. He worked hard to outlast that prognosis, and he enjoyed a few more years of his favorite old hobbies, most importantly golfing, and almost 10 years of his newest one, time with his five granddaughters, including trips to the Outer Banks and Disney World. He fought his disease to the best of his ability; he outlived the odds, but still left us too soon.

Ultimately Byron was an amazing man, friend, husband, father and grandfather. He was loved and respected in both his work and personal life and will be remembered always. Tina grieves losing the love of her life, her partner and her best friend, but sees him in, and takes comfort in, her children and grandchildren. Matt has followed in his footsteps, pursuing an engineering degree in college, finding happiness in fishing and golfing, and succeeding him as a great father. Jill hopes that her dad’s kind, calm and jovial personality pervades her own spirit and interactions throughout her life. Tina and Byron shared great pride and joy in seeing all the accomplishments their children and grandchildren have achieved and he will be watching them proudly as they continue their lives. Byron had a giant heart and loved nothing more than being around family and friends to share stories, laughs and good times. He will be missed terribly, remembered lovingly, and will always hold a place in the hearts of those who loved him.

Byron R. Webster, age 78. Born on February 18, 1947. Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. Beloved husband of Tina. Dear father of Matt Webster (Kate) and Jill Davies (Jed). Much loved grandfather of Riley, Brooke, and Lucy Webster and of Adelaide and Eloise Davies. Faithful brother of the late Greg Webster. Byron was a good man, a kind and gracious friend, and most importantly a man who cherished his family.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute in his name to IPFFoundation.org, 21301 S. Tamiami Trail, Ste. 320 PMB 226 / Estero, FL 33928. or HospiceWR.org. PO Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192.

THERE WILL BE A GATHERING OF FRIENDS AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH 44120 ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 8TH, 2026, FROM 4-6 PM.