William Earl Woods

From out of the hills of West Virginia came William E. Woods, the youngest of 5 children. His father abandoned the family when he was very young. At the age of 7 he delivered newspapers county-wide from his bicycle. During high school he earned money by sweeping the classrooms and repairing typewriters; he also worked in the coal mines. Through perseverance and hard work he triumphed over all of this adversity.

He attended the University of West Virginia on the GI Bill, and received his wings at Randolph

Air Force Base in 1949.

In 1951 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base he met the love of his life, Dorothy Keller Woods. They have two sons, Dr. Scott Woods, M.D. of Yale Medical School, and Attorney Bryan Woods of San Antonio. They were married for 70 loving years. In 1961 he graduated from the University of Colorado with an Electrical Engineering degree with honors, and was a member of the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi. While in the Air Force he became a Command Pilot for the C-124 Globemaster and flew over 6,000 hours. Later, he helped launch missiles from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg AFB. He retired after 24 years as a Major and was honored with the Victory Medal World War II, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Reserve

Medal, Guided Missile Insignia, and Air Force Commendation Medal. His knowledge, selfless leadership, and collaborative skills were recognized and he served on the Board of Directors at Port Royal Condominiums and the Towers on Park Lane.

He leaves behind beloved wife, Dorothy Keller Woods, sons, Dr. Scott Woods and Bryan Woods, daughter-in-law Joan Woods and grandson Drake Woods of San Antonio, step-grandson Justin Tyler Trevino of Denver, Colorado, and daughter-in-law Lisa Woods and grandsons Jack and Cooper Woods of New Haven, CT and extended family.

His generosity, selflessness, kindness and keen intellect will always be remembered by his

family and those that were blessed to come across his path.

Graveside services will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter 2, beginning at 9:15.