William Woodrow Tanner

William Woodrow “Woody” Tanner, loving husband, proud father and dedicated physician, age 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 29th, 2018, at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. He was born on March 9, 1940 to William Tanner and Nell G. Tanner in Paonia, Colorado. He graduated from Northeast High School in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1958 and after graduating the University of Florida, he attended the Medical College of Virginia, graduating in 1971 as a MD.

After becoming an anesthesiologist, Woody served 10 years in the Navy and later in life, oversaw his working farm in Powhatan, Virginia. He was married to his wife, Carolyn Morris Tanner, for 53 years.

Woody was passionate about many things in his life. He found his work as a doctor very fulfilling and he was proud of his status as a United States Veteran. He enjoyed spending his days on his farm as much as he enjoyed spending time with his friends and colleagues.

However, Woody's greatest pleasure and greatest source of pride came from his family. He and his wife, Carol, were inseparable. Their relationship transcended marriage as they were also the best of friends and the closest of confidants.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Morris Tanner; his son G. Scot Tanner, his daughter-in-law Heather Jones Tanner and their son William “Max” Maxwell Tanner; his son Jeffery Rahall and his son Nicky Rahall; his sister Mary Kay Valencia; his nephew William Valencia; his niece Stacy Valencia; his brother Edward Reed; his brother-in-law John L Martin and his sister-in-law Fran Sanderford.

Services will be held at Salisbury Presbyterian Church at 13621 W. Salisbury Road Midlothian, Virginia 23113 on July 6th. Visitation is from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the funeral service will be held between 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM. The graveside service will be held at Greenwood Memorial Park at 12609 Patterson Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23238 on July 6th between 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

We invite Woody's friends, colleagues and anyone whose life was touched by him to join us in honoring his extraordinary life, mourn his passing and celebrating his journey as he is reunited with his father, William Tanner, his mother, Nell G. Reed, his brother Howard B. Reed and his brother-in-law Paul Sanderford in the everlasting peace and tranquility of God.