Woodrow W Ousley Sr.

Woodrow Wilson (Woody) Ousley, Sr., passed away June 1, 2011 with his family by his side. Woody was born in Davidson, Oklahoma on October 10, 1915. He first visited Port Aransas as a young boy with his father, Scott Lafayette Ousley. At the age of 13, he hopped on a freight train and left Oklahoma to head back to Port Aransas, Texas.

Woody worked for Ted Samang, who took him in and he managed Ted’s tourist courts. He owned and chartered his own boat and later joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC Tree Army). He worked as a Merchant Marine for two years and then met and married Jessie Mae Howery of Aransas Pass in 1935. He was co-owner of Wilson’s Grill and also worked for Humble Oil. After the loss of his wife, Jessie Mae, he worked for Rosson & Richards Pipeline Company in the U.S. and South America.

He married Florine Mathews in 1947 and in the early 1950’s he worked for Vera Mathews, his mother-in-law at Mathews Sports Center. In 1957 he built Woody’s Boat Basin on water front property that adjoined Mathews Sport Center. Woody and his wife, Florine operated the boat basin until 1972, at which time they leased the business and retired on a ranch in Goliad, Texas. They sold Woody’s Boat Basin in 1982, and bought a ranch in Medina, Texas where they resided until 2000.

Woody was a founding member of the Port Aransas Boatman’s Association, Lion’s Club, a member of Ducks Unlimited, Boy Scouts of America, a Lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of the Bandera Gun Club. He was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce in 1996.

Woody was preceded in death by his first wife, Jessie Mae Howery - Ousley, his second wife, Florine V. Mathews – Ousley, two sons, Simmy Ousley and Bobby Ousley, and a daughter, Marie Ousley Stiewig.

Woody is survived by two sons, Woodrow Wilson (Butch) Ousley, Jr., of Port Aransas and Scott (Sherry) Ousley of Austin; two daughters, Vivi (Tosser) See and Sylvia (Randell) Buttler, both of Flour Bluff; 23 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

Memorial Services will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church in Port Aransas, Texas, on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Ousley’s name to Boy Scout Troop 316, 1821 Emerald Isle, Leander, Texas 78641 or the Jerry McDonald Foundation, P. O. Box 261, Port Aransas, Texas.

A celebration of Woody’s life and legacy will be held at Woody’s Sports Center, on June 11, 2011 from 6-9 pm. All those who knew and loved him are welcome to join the family in this celebration.

To offer your condolences visit us at: www.cage-mills.com

To offer your condolences visit us at www.cage-mills.com