Charles Albert Woodford, a beloved member of the Belleville community, died Sunday morning (Aug. 26, 2018) at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. He was 96.
Mr. Woodford was born on July 14, 1922 to Raymond and Muriel Woodford in Washington Iowa, In his youthful years, Charles dreamed of flying in airplanes. His first airplane ride ever was in a Ford Tri-Motor, over his hometown. After high school, Charles worked in the experimental aircraft department of Hughes Aircraft in California. In 1942 as the Mighty Eighth Air Force became operation-ready for combat in World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp to serve his country, took his oath, and reported to Fort MacArthur near Los Angeles. Charles received his basic training at Kearns (Salt Lake City), Utah and armorer training at Lowry Field, Colorado. At Fort Myers, Florida, he attended gunnery school and then transferred to Moses Lake, Washington where he joined his B-17 crew. They trained together at Walla Walla, WA. He was fondly known as “Woody”. Charles became attached to the 388th Bombardment Group (H) stationed at RAF Knettishall near Cambridge where he was designated as a tail gunner on the B-17G Flying Fortress, Lady Lillian. Charles was part of the Air Offensive in the European Theater before fighter escorts existed. In November 1943 on his 11th mission over Germany, he was seriously injured when his plane took bad enemy flak. He made it back to base alive but his hospital stay in England lasted until summer 1944. A Purple Heart recipient, Charles was honorably discharged from the military in 1945, having served three years in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He was the last surviving member of his original crew.
Charles Woodford was joined in heart and spirit with Phyllis Nadine Bondhus of Oskaloosa, IA on April 29, 1946 in a blessed marriage that lasted 56 years. He went to Iowa State University on the GI Bill and transferred to Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, OK where he trained in aircraft and engine mechanics. He worked at the Middletown Army Material Air Base in Pennsylvania in air support for the federal government before coming to Scott Air Force Base in 1950 in an aviation career that lasted 29 years. He served as a flight mechanical engineer, plane inspector and a financial manager at the base. Charles also worked with the DODs Defense Communication Agency; in the Defense Commercial Communications Office (DECCO); and the Air Mobility Command within the USAF 3310th. After retiring from civil service, he was an Air Traffic Controller at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology.
Charles and his wife, Phyllis, avid high school sports fans, started the Belleville East Lancer Booster Club. Both were inducted into the Belleville East Hall of Fame. The football stadium at Belleville East is named for Mr. Charles Woodford. As a team, they volunteered each summer for 19 years with the U.S. Forest Service in Virginia, West Virginia and Montana. The Woodfords were devoted members of Union United Methodist Church where Charles sang with the church choir for 60 years. An active man always, he was a member of the WWII 388th Bombardment Group Association, the American Legion, the Belleville News Democrat Advisory Board, the Turkey Hill Grange, and volunteered on weekends at Cahokia Mounds. Among many tributes to his fine character, Charles was given a Citizens of Character Award in 2016. Belleville mayor Mark W. Eckert read a public proclamation for Charlie Woodford in recognition of his dedicated service to the Belleville community on December 18, 2017.
Charles Woodford will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, humor, deep faith, patriotism, love of family and friends, and service to his country and community. Mr. Woodford leaves his legacy to his son, Charles Wick Woodford (Holly Allen) of York, PA, his daughter, Terry Ann Woodford-Thomas of St. Louis MO, and four grandsons, Charles (Chase) Wesley Woodford of Philadelphia PA, Joseph Lee Thomas of Salt Lake City, UT, Nathan Matthew Thomas of Eugene, OR and Zane Wilde Woodford of York, PA, and also lovingly to his extended family, and many friends and colleagues.
Mr. Woodford’s life will be celebrated at a visitation on Sunday, Sept. 2nd from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL. His memorial service will take place at Union United Methodist Church in Belleville, IL on Tuesday, Sept. 4th at 10:00 a.m. followed by his interment at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL alongside his beloved wife.
Memorials to him may be made to Union United Methodist Church, to the Belleville East High School Men and Women’s Athletic Programs or to the Charles Woodford Scholarship Fund at Belleville East High School.
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