William "Bill" E. Woodrick

Bill graduated from Meridian High School and Junior College, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mississippi Southern College, and earned his graduate degrees from Gallaudet University and Mississippi State University.

He taught at the Mississippi School for the Deaf and served as a vocational Rehabilitation counselor across the state. In 1967 he joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee, College of Education Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation.

He created multiple programs at the University of Tennessee, including academic programs for Interpreter of the Deaf, Rehabilitation of the Deaf and services for students with disabilities.

Bill acquired funding during the 1970’s creating a regional program to train interpreters for the deaf and assisted in developing academic interpreter training within each of the 8 Southeastern states. Bill secured federal grants to provide funding to establish and enhance post-secondary education for Deaf and Hard of hearing students across 14 southern states.

As a result of his efforts, numerous grants and contracts, and a Center for the Deaf were established. Bill served as Director of the Center until his retirement in 1999. Bill impacted students from over 40 states and several foreign countries.

During the 1970’s, Bill secured non-university funding to initiate support services for students with disabilities.

Bill was a founding member and served as president of the American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association and national board member of the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. He was a consultant to the National Association of the Deaf, A G Bell Association, and American Speech and Hearing Association.

In 1987 he received the Boyce R. William National Award for his dedication, influence, and outstanding contributions as well as Certified Emeritus Award from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Bill served as a consultant to numerous colleges across the nation; NYU, RIT, SOSU, CSUN, as well as Rehabilitation Centers in West Virginia, Virginia, Texas and Arkansas. He taught for the “President Carter Foundation” in Shanghai China. He presented at numerous national and international conferences.

After his retirement in 1999, he completed hiking the 900 miles of trails in the Smokies and provided trail maintenance along the Appalachian trail. Bill was an avid runner for over 30 years, winning numerous awards in his age group. He also bicycled, kayaked, and roller skated.

Travel included trips with his wife Bonnie throughout Europe, Scandinavian, British Isles, Russia, Australia and New Zealand.

Bill was preceded by his parents, Lorenzo Jack Woodrick and Della Viola Buffington Woodrick. His wife Bonnie Sue Lewis Woodrick of nearly 60 years. He is survived by his 2 sons, William E. Woodrick Jr. “Ed” and wife Amy of Gainesville, GA and Jack B. Woodrick and wife Shelly of Knoxville, TN; several nephews, nieces; great nephews and nieces.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Bill at Berry Funeral Home, 3704 Chapman Highway, Knoxville, TN 37920, with a memorial service on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:30am, after the memorial service Bill has requested that everyone in attendance please stay for a lunch and party to celebrate his favorite holiday. In lieu of flower donations may be made to the William E. Woodrick Scholarship, the University of Tennessee Foundation, 1525 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921. www.utfi.org.