William Allan Wood

the last order has been given,

the final solute returned,

the last handshake shared, and the

occasional tear brushed away by a determined hand.

Long after that, it still runs in your veins.

Lives on in your mind. Dominates your will.

Long after that you feel the call.

The esprit that can only be shared among brothers.

Among individuals bonded together by the

truest ideals -- Once a Marine, always a Marine.

William “Woody” A. Wood, was a dedicated U.S. Marine vet, father, grandfather, great grandfather and even a great great grandfather, who lived a long life full of adventure, happiness and love until he passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021.

Woody was born on March 25, 1922, in Andover, Massachusetts to Lymert and Margaret Wood. He resided in Lawrence, MA with his two brothers, John Warren and Philip Lymert. He attended Lawrence High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering at Northwestern University.

He entered the Marine Corps on August 8, 1940, and served with A Battery, Special Weapons Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Woody bravely participated in the battles on Guadalcanal and the British Solomon Islands from August 7, 1942, to January 4, 1943. He arrived at Guadalcanal on the USS Libra. His battalion provided light anti-aircraft defense around Henderson Fields until they were relieved in January 1943. They were credited with shooting down 12 enemy aircraft. Grandpa would brag that they received no wounds, just malaria.

Next, they embarked onward to the battles on Cape Gloucester and New Britain, which were from December 26, 1943, to April 24, 1944. In April 1944, his division set out for Australia to conduct a training exercise prior to continuing onto Peleliu. During one of the training exercises, he was struck in the eye by a capped bayonet, which left him blind in one eye. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps as a Corporal and returned to Andover, MA. During the Battle of Peleliu under the command of Major Davis, the Special Weapons Battalion, 1st Marine Division suffered over 71% casualties.

Woody continued his service to the Corps by becoming the Unit Director of the 1st Marine Division Association and the 1st Special Weapons Battalion Association. As Director, he maintained contact with surviving members and prepared a newsletter about member activities, reunion events, etc.

He went on to marry Peggy Addison (passed away February 10, 1992) and had one son, George Addison Wood. He eventually became a construction engineer for Capital Engineering. During his employment with Capital Engineering, Woody had the opportunity to spend 18 months in Vietnam constructing bridges for the U.S. military in 1957-1958. In 1959 the family relocated to Bowie, MD where he was offered a land survey and highway engineer position with the Department of Transportation. Upon his arrival, he began the construction on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge. He retired from the DOT in 1985.

Woody had three grandchildren, Carol-Ann Wood, Lisa Wood and George Wood. He also has seven great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. He was a very kind, generous, loving grandfather, who will be missed dearly.