Kelly “BOHICA” Wayne Webb, 59, BMMC (ret. ) Surface Warfare Combat Crewman, United States Navy, shipped out to eternal Command on Monday, December 10, 2018. He passed away peacefully at home.
He was born in South Charleston, West Virginia on August 12, 1959 to the late Clarence (Jack) (2000) and late Audrey (Pauley) Webb (2015). Kelly served in the United States Navy from February 1979 until June 2000. At the time of his passing he was working as a Program Manager for Brunswick Commercial and Government Sales.
Kelly was preceded in death, also, by his brother Steven C. Webb (2011). He is survived by his son and co-pilot, Jorge, and Elisa, Jorge’s mother, who is Kelly’s soul, spiritual and timeless shipmate. The three of them are held under full ownership of the family canine, Jasmine.
Kelly is survived by his brother George (Darene) of Cross Lanes, WV, brother Clifford (Denise) of Milton, WV, and sister Gretis Mae Angell, of Nitro, WV. Kelly is survived by his uncles, Harold Pauley, John Wayne (Linda) Pauley and by his aunts Minnie Cobb, Linda Soulier, Pamela Pauley, Shirley Webb, Betty Boggess and Kathleen Jarrett. He will leave the kickstands down and be missed by Karl Angell and all of his nephews, nieces and cousins.
He also leaves behind a world-wide circle of friends, co-workers, active and retired military family that truly enriched his life. Kelly served in the United States Navy from 1979-2000 rising to the rank of Master Chief and serving in both the Fleet and Special Warfare communities. While in the fleet he served in the USS CANISTEO (AO-99), Navy Cargo Handling and Port Group and Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN.
During his tour with Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN, Kelly served as the Tugmaster of TUG SAUGUS (YTB-780) in Holy Lock, Scotland. After qualifying as a Tugmaster he was appointed as the Site Harbor Master and charged with the safe movements of all site assets including a 100 Ton Floating Yard Crane, visiting (TAK) Cargo Ships and Dry Docking SSBNs/SSNs submarines. In 1985, Kelly was assigned to the U.S. Naval Station Panama Canal, Harbor Patrol Unit (HPU) as a crewman and later as Boat Captain aboard a variety of combatant craft ranging from the 31′ Patrol Boat Riverine (PBR) to the 52′ Patrol Craft Fast (PCF) and 22′ Ramos Raider.
In 1987 the HPU was converted and commissioned as Special Boat Unit TWENTY-SIX (SBU-26) and Kelly was assigned as a POIC onboard a 68′ Sea Specter MKIV Patrol Boat and Patrol Officer of a 25′ Riverine Patrol Boat Light (PBL) Detachment. Kelly left Panama for his tour in Scotland but returned to SBU-26 in 1991 and was assigned as the Coastal Division training chief and CPOIC onboard a 68′ SEA SPECTER MK IV Patrol Boat before taking over as Leading Chief of the Riverine Division. During this tour he again deployed on numerous Counter Drug and Foreign Internal Defense missions throughout Central and South America.
Kelly’s two tours in Panama would shape his life and ultimately the course of the Naval Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC) community. It was during this time he was assigned Temporary Additional Duty to the Naval Special Warfare Center, Coronado, California, as the senior member of a cadre tasked with developing the Special Warfare Combat Crewmembers Course. While there he drafted and proposed BUPERS and CNO policy changes to the 9533 NEC (Special Boat Crewman) assignment pipeline that led to a complete restructuring of the entire Combat Craft Crewman Community.
In 1933 Kelly left Panama and reported to Naval Special Warfare Command, Coronado, California for duty as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Combat Craft Crewman issues. Kelly spearheaded the implementation of the Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC) as a Warfare Designation and “close-loop” detailing. While there he also rejuvenated the Patrol Boat Light (PBL) Counter Drug Program resulting in the acquisition of a new and improved craft and ancillary equipment for the Riverine community.
In 1996, he reported as the Command Master Chief at Special Boat Squadron ONE, Coronado, California and advised the Commodore on all matters concerning the enlisted personnel on deployed Patrol. Coastal (PC) ships and Combatant craft throughout the PACOM and CENTCOM regions in support of SEALS and Maritime Special Operations. In 1998, he was assigned as Command Master Chief for Special Boat Unit TWENTY-TWO where he assisted and advised the Commanding Officer on matters relating to the manning and execution of Naval Special Warfare missions in the Riverine environment throughout the globe.
Kelly’s distinguished career in Navy Special Warfare was truly instrumental in the establishment of the SWCC community. Aside from being Jorge’s father this was his most treasured achievement. Kelly is referred to as the Grandfather of SWCC and in appreciation of his contributions the Special Warfare Command named the SWCC schoolhouse in his honor.
His legacy lives on in every SWCC who fearlessly runs a combatant craft into harm’s way. His personal military decorations include, two Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, four Navy Achievement Medals, and various unit and service awards. A service of Remembrance and Honor will be held Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home, 406 S. Orange Street, New Smyrna Beach, with one hour of visitation prior to the service.
A Celebration of Kelly’s Life event will be held after the service at Beachside Tavern, 690 E. 3rd Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. On Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 1 p.m. a Memorial Service for Kelly will be held at Humphreys Memorial United Methodist Church, 8340 Sissonville Drive, Charleston, WV 25320. In lieu of flowers it is requested that contributions to the UDT Seal Association Scholarship Fund be considered.
The mailing address is UDT Seal Association, 1619 D Street, Building 5326, Virginia Beach, VA 23459, or the website at udtseal.org/donate.
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