Willie Howard Wooden

Willie Howard Wooden, known affectionately by all who loved him as “Jabo,” passed away leaving behind a legacy of strength, service, and a quiet, steady love. Born on October 30, 1930, in Pittsburg, Texas, to John Wesley Wooden, Sr. and Pinky Lean; they preceded him in death. Jabo’s life was a testament to the values of hard work and family.

A Gifted Spirit

In his youth, Jabo was a force to be reckoned with on the field and the track. A natural athlete at Frederick Douglas High School, he seemed to master every sport he touched—from football and baseball to the precision of pole vaulting. That same discipline followed him into adulthood when he answered the call to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

A Life of Dedicated Service

Jabo eventually made his home in Houston, where he became known as a “master with working with his hands”. Whether he was supervising teams at Dinwiddie Distributing or Peterbilt, or spending seventeen dedicated years as a fabricator at Waukesha-Pearce, he took immense pride in his craft. To Jabo, work wasn’t just a job; it was a way to provide and a way to create. Even after his formal retirement in 1993, his hands were rarely still—he found peace in the soil of his garden and joy in the intricate repairs of electro-mechanical gadgets.

Simple Joys and Lasting Love

In his later years, Jabo embraced a quieter pace of life. He found contentment in the “good old things”: a classic Western on the TV, the excitement of a ballgame, and the thrill of a new find for his coin collection. But his greatest treasures were the people he loved. He cherished every phone call with his family and the lively visits from his grandchildren, which filled his home with laughter.

Legacy

Jabo was a man of deep faith, carrying the word of God in his heart from a young age. He met his final chapter as he lived his entire life: with dignity, strength, and an unwavering love.

He is survived by:

• His children: Errol Wooden, Theresa Diane Rankin, Joy King, and Jody Johnson.

• His siblings: Mary “ May” Henderson, Betty Beasley, Bobby Wooden, and John Wesley “Mike” Wooden, Jr. (Priscilla).

• A host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss his steady presence.

He is preceded in death by his son, Stanley; his niece, Mary Ann; and his brothers, John Dee, Willie Brown, Robert Louis, and Frank Loyce.

Memorial Information

A gathering to honor and celebrate Jabo’s incredible journey will be

announced on his memorial website in the near future.