Webb Boswell was born January 12, 1923, to Herman Frank Boswell, Sr. and Sara Selma Webb. Prior to his military service, he attended Millsaps College and was a member of the Lambda Chi Fraternity. He joined the United States Air Force and served in World War II and the Korean Conflict. While in the Air Force, he attended theUniversity of Pittsburgh and was a navigator on a P61 Black Widow in the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, serving in the Pacific Theater. Mr. Boswell remained in the Air Force Reserves until his retirement as a Major. Following World War II, he earned a degree in pharmacy from the University of Mississippi. He briefly practiced pharmacy in Louisvilleand soon joined his father’s pharmaceutical practice at Boswell Drugs in Noxapater, Mississippi. The family owned business was started in 1911 and also housed a medical clinic. The soda fountain and ice cream parlor served as the center of social life for many in the community. He was a Noxapater Town Alderman for a quarter of a century and a trustee for the Noxapater United Methodist Church for many years.
Mr. Boswell is survived by his wife, Bessie Sue Hull Boswell and his brother, Dr. Herman Frank Boswell, Jr. and wife, Jo, of New Orleans, Louisiana. He is also survived by his children, Dr. Susan Boswell Johnstone and husband, Jim, of Pontotoc, Mississippi; Webb A. Boswell, Jr. of Noxapater, Mississippi; Dr. Scott Hull Boswell, and wife, Connie, of Jasper, Alabama; David Boswell and wife, Elizabeth of Kemah, Texas; Kenny Boswell and wife, LeAnn, of Noxapater, Mississippi; and Will Boswell and wife, Joni, of Forest, Mississippi. Mr. Boswell is also survived by 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Boswell Bennett of Louisville, Mississippi.
Mr. Boswell, 88, passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2011, at Winston Medical Center in Louisville,Mississippi. Visitation will be at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville, Mississippi, on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at Noxapater United Methodist Church in Noxapater, Mississippi, with Rev. Dewayne Warren and Rev. Smith Whiteside officiating. Following a Military Honor graveside ceremony, interment will be in Noxapater United MethodistChurch Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Michael Hull Johnson, David D. Richardson III, Colin Johnstone, Taylor Boswell, Webb Arnold Boswell III, Chris Boswell, Trent Boswell, and Zach Boswell.
Memorials may be made to the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy or to Noxapater United Methodist Church in Noxapater, MS. Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS is handling the arrangements.