Francis Elwood Himes

Francis Elwood ‘Woody’ Himes, 90, formerly of Byron and DeKalb IL, died September 16, 2023 in Sarasota FL. He was born January 25, 1933 to Henry Clay and Mary (Lowry) Himes. Elwood married Marilyn Marie Gruben September 1st 1951 in Byron. Marilyn passed away in 2000. He married Janice McFall Thompson January 31, 2001. She passed away in January 2011. He married Rita F. Gordon June 25 2021, after a ten year relationship.

He attended school 12 years in Byron, graduating in 1950 from Byron High School. He was a member of Dick Hasleton’s championship caliber Byron Basketball teams of the late 1940’s. Woody spent his entire career working in the transportation industry starting with Byron Transit Company while in high school and as a freight driver for Hi-way Motor service, both in Byron. He moved to Florida 1965 and worked in management for Terminal Transport Company in Sarasota and Miami Florida, Nashville TN and Rock Island IL. He returned to FL in 1974 to work for Howard Hall Company, then Roadway Express retiring 1990 from Roadway. The lure of transportation brought him out of retirement in 1991 to a second ten year career as a bus operator for Sarasota County Area Transit. Woody was honored by the Florida Transit Association as the 1999 Bus Operator of the year in the State of FL. He was a 70 year Master Mason in Byron Lodge 274 AF and AM, a retired Teamster with Local 79 in Tampa FL, and a charter member of Local 1701 Amalgamated Transit Union.

Woody was predeceased by his parents, daughter Jody and four older brothers, Elton Duane, Ronald Clell, Hazen Hugh and Rollie.

He is survived by his spouse, best friend and loving companion, Rita Gordon, sons, Craig (Felicia) Himes of Sarasota FL, Brian, of Lakewood Ranch FL, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren

For online tributes, please visit www.rtsfunerals.com or www.wiegandbrothers.com