William "Woody" Wolff Forst

Woody (some know him as “Bill”) was the beloved husband to Alberta (nee Osborn) Forst of 61 years; loving father to Dorothy (Christos) Shiakallis, Donald (Vivian) Forst, and Douglas (Toni Ward) Forst; dear grandfather to Hanna and Madelyn Shiakallis, Quinn Fang and Konstanze Forst; fond brother to Frederick (late Dianne) Forst, Richard (Margaret) Forst, Kenneth Forst, late Dawn (Late Gregory) Herbert, late Nancy (Thomas) Krause, Dorothy VanPuyenbroeck, Ralph Forst, and Susan (James) Fuller; fond brother-in-law to Dortha Osborn, Almyra (late David) Reed, Reva (late Stephen) Mitchell, late Susan Osborn and fond uncle to many nieces and nephews. He will be missed dearly.

Woody grew up in Chicago on the Northwest side. He joined the Boy Scouts where his love began for camping, hiking, fishing and cooking over a campfire. He enjoyed trips with his Dad, siblings and Grandparents. He passed on his love of the outdoors to all his children and grandchildren. Woody really enjoyed camping and fishing in the upper Midwest, but truly loved his trips to Alaska, Canada and anywhere there were mountains.

He attended Lane Tech H.S. and Wright Jr. College. He then met Alberta Osborn in 1962 and were married 2 years later. Woody then joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed overseas with his wife in Okinawa, Japan.

After his service, Woody continued to be a true patriot. He joined the American Legion in Arlington Heights where he enjoyed talking to other veterans and attending various fundraisers. He supported all of the U.S Armed Forces throughout his lifetime. Woody had a long 40-year career at ITW-Fastex in Des Plaines, IL. After 52 years living in the same home in Arlington Heights, where he and Alberta raised their three children, they moved to Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Woody was a devout Roman Catholic. He was active parishioner at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Arlington Heights, IL for over 50 years. Woody was also a Eucharistic Minister at OLW for many years and he loved teaching CCD to the 2nd graders who were working on the Sacrament of First Holy Communion. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus. After moving to South Carolina, they joined St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill. Being of the Roman Catholic faith defined how he approached life and its challenges.

Woody enjoyed helping others and volunteered at various organizations and in many roles. He was so happy giving his time to one of the kids or grandkids sporting/band events, at the local forest preserve for various events such as barn raising or pancake day as well as at church. He was all about giving to others and enjoying his time with many.

In lieu of flowers the family of William asks that a donation be made in his name to the American Legion of Arlington Heights.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Visitation will follow on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Wayside, 434 W. Park St., Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM at the church. Military Honors along with Entombment will be at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Palatine, IL.