Richard Simms Woods

Richard Simms “Woodsy” Woods of Dallas, 87-years-old, entered his heavenly home on Friday, June 17th, after a valiant ten-year fight to live after he suffered a stroke in the fall of 2006. His strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried him through these last ten years. Yet, even in the midst of debilitating pain, he remained consistently devoted to his family. Woodsy is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Virginia Price “Ginnie” Woods, three daughters: Cynthia Woods Lindsley of Dallas, her husband Don Dickinson Lindsley; Diana Woods Eppler of Tyler, her husband Gregory Dale Eppler; Julie Woods Clancy of Dallas, and her husband Andrew Oliver Clancy, seven grandchildren: Jack Lindsley, Jennifer Lindsley, Caroline Eppler Root, Allie Eppler Jarvie, Lucy Clancy, Kate Clancy, and Virginia Clancy, and sister Mary Helen Hughes of Atlanta, GA. Woodsy was born on May 20, 1929, in Evansville, Indiana. He was the younger of two children born to Herbert Randall Woods and Helen Boyd Woods. He grew up in Evansville, IN and graduated from Bosse High School. Woodsy earned his Bachelor’s of Business Administration and Law from Southern Methodist University, where he was involved in the Student Bar Association, Barristers, Southwestern Law Journal, Alpha Tau Omega men’s fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity, and served as Justice of the Student Court. He also played the clarinet in the SMU band. He was a successful attorney and counselor of law at Worsham, Forsythe and Wooldridge law firm for eight years. He then went on to become Vice President and General Counsel of American Liberty Oil Company, where he diligently worked until he retired in 1998. Woodsy was a faithful member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church. He was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and dear friend to all who knew him. One of Woodsy’s greatest passions was sports, and he was an avid tennis player, sailor, snow skier, and Texas Rangers fan. He was a charter member of Brookhaven Country Club. In his retirement years, he and several friends formed the “Dickie Doos,” a golf and dinner group. He also loved history, traveling, and adventuring to new places, and his daughters remember many special family vacations. Woodsy loved spending time with his grandchildren, and some of their most precious memories include him teaching them how to play golf and attending their many sporting events, dance recitals, and Grandparent’s Days at school. Visitation will be held 5-7pm on Wednesday, June 22nd at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home. Celebration of life service will be held at 3:30pm on Thursday, June 23th in the sanctuary at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Park Cities Presbyterian Church 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, TX 75219 214-224-2500. Please visit www.sparkman-hillcrest.com