Lloyd Joseph Webber
Lloyd J. Webber of Laurel, MT, passed away on June 25, 2021, at St. Vincent Healthcare after a weeklong battle with Covid-19. “I could lick it,” he told his family,“if it just weren’t for these lungs.”
The third of eight children born to Guy and Dorothy Webber, Lloyd learned early on the grit it takes to work hard and love well. After graduating Joliet High School, Lloyd went to a heavy equipment trade school in Weiser, Idaho, before returning to Montana and marrying his best friend, Gerry Altman. As they were always involved with livestock, and cattle was their passion, the two decided to build on their numbers. This was made possible through Lloyd working for Montana Power Company (MPC). Lloyd was able to retire early from MPC, but he never retired from ranching.
For Lloyd, ranch life was inseparable from family and community. His son and daughter learned to ride horses, feed bum calves, and put up hay, among other chores. At the Webber brandings, many times folks would grab dinner, tell stories and jokes, and listen to harmonica or guitar music. Lloyd’s grandchildren loved going to rodeos with him and four-wheeling in the mountains where he grew up. In later years, Lloyd and Gerry attended Cowboy Church and extended their already-large community to the fellow Christians who go there.
As much as Lloyd loved to ranch, it couldn’t rival his love for people. If you needed help, you could count on Lloyd. If you made a deal with him, you knew that his word—and his handshake—were more reliable than most people’s signature. If you or your family grew up in Montana, Lloyd would figure out some way he’s connected to you. Lloyd enjoyed going to local basketball games to support the kids, even if he didn’t know anyone playing. They enjoyed going to breakfast or lunch with friends. He could strike up a conversation with anyone anywhere he went. To some people, Lloyd was a stranger who made their day just by his friendliness and the reminder that there are good people in the world. To others, Lloyd was a dear man, loved beyond description, who is already sorely missed.
Lloyd appreciated the companionship of all sorts of critters, be it a good horse, a good dog or recently a couple of goofy cats that loved to follow him all over the place.
Lloyd is predeceased by his parents, Guy and Dorothy Webber, and brothers Bill and Dan. He is survived by his wife, Gerry Webber; children Lee (Amanda) Webber and GayLynn (Mark) Robertus; grandchildren Sadie (David) Barry and Seth Robertus, Sari Robertus, Shay Robertus, and Hunter Skov; great-grandchild Finn Barry; and siblings, Phyllis-Jean of CA, Mary Ann of Billings, and Patti of Helena, Tom of Roundup, and Jim of Shawmut.
Lloyd’s funeral is tentatively planned for 1:00 pm Wednesday July 14 at the Joliet Gym, Joliet, Montana.
