When I was a teenager I met Ed at my grandmother’s house. I remember a pretty nice guy who liked to fish and tell stories. Little did I know at the time the impact that he would have on my life. 

He told me one time that he was a retired Marine. At the time I did not pay much mind to it and we kept on fishing. A few years later as I was sitting at home I decided that if he could do it, then so could I.  I can still see the smile on his face as I told him that I had joined  while they were on a trip to North Carolina. My fondest memories of him are the look of pride on his face as I graduated boot camp, and the tears in his eyes as he pinned my last bars on my collar and shook my hand when he and Grandma  promoted me.

He has earned many titles over his 87 years: Dad, Husband, Marine and the highest title that I could ever give him: Grandpa. 

He has deeply affected my life and that of my family and I will be eternally grateful for the gift of having known him.  I will  see you on the other side Grandpa. 


My Dad was blessed to find a once-in-a-lifetime love twice in his life.  First with my Mom, then with Lisa.
Lisa was an unexpected gift for Dad after Mom passed away.   Dad had said that he didn't want a woman with encumbrances - a whole bunch of children and grandchildren - the second time around.  But Lisa and
her whole crew of family made him change his mind.   Dad embraced all of them as his own.  He was especially proud to have been the reason that John, Logan, Matt, and Mick followed in his footsteps and served in the Marine Corps.   And Jason is thinking about doing that too.   Dad loved the grandkids and great grandkids that were such a part of his life, something he never got from me or my sister Debra.  Granddogs just aren't the same!  My Dad was very blessed with the life he led, and he lived it well.   We all miss him.     Janet Hower, daughter.

I have had the pleasure to know Ed for 13 years and in this relatively short time I found a caring, kind man with a dedicated devotion to his wife and her happiness and a man who has inspired many young men and women to join his footsteps in the Marines!

You will be missed!

My Daddy made life a true
adventure. As a boy in upstate New York he ran a trap line that he would check before school.
The resulting fur pelts provided
pocket money in the Great Depression. Snapshots in my mind. Fishing off a California pier and together, reeling in a  glistening Calico Bass.  Exploring
The Alamo museum, so tiny a place,  so rich in history. Collecting cucumbers,  tomatoes and runner beans in his garden of roses.  Listening as he shared
stories of his day at supper time. These often began with the phrase 'I just had to laugh...'
Falling asleep cosy in my bedroom,  listening to the tap,
tap, tap of the hammer on the
embossing tool; as he created
leather handbags and belts 
cut from the center of a hide.
Years later, taking his arm walking down the aisle of an English coutryside church
to give me away to marry
Andrew Swinley.
He was the warm Sun, the center of a loving home. 

Debra Swinley, eldest daughter




OBITUARY

Edward William Woodhouse

November 18, 1930 – May 29, 2018

Weaver Mortuary and Crematory

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