William Wilford Wood

William Wilford Wood, 92, of Tifton, GA and formerly of Marion, died Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at Cypress Pond Assisted Living in Tifton, GA. Born on September 26, 1918 in Marion, NC, he was the son of the late Ernest James Wood and Mattie Suttles Wood.

Mr. Wood was a veteran of the United States Army, 101st Airborne, having served during World War II. He served in the European Theatre, the Invasion of Normandy, The Battle of the Bulge, and the invasion of Holland. He received the Purple Heart.

Mr. Wood was an avid hunter and travelled the world hunting and fishing. He was an honorary Sheriff’s Deputy with the law enforcement in Hamilton, OH, a Kentucky Colonel and served as President of the Home Builder’s Association in Hamilton, OH. He also served as President of the Optimist Club in Hamilton, where he was active in many areas of that organization.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Melvin Wood, Carl Wood and E.J. Wood; and granddaughter, Katie Rodman.

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Liggett and her husband, Dr. Alan Liggett of Tifton, GA; sons, Greg Wood and his wife, Collette of Dacula, GA and Gerald Wood and his wife, Jane of Hamilton, OH; grandchildren, John Rodman and his wife, Anne of Savannah, GA., Carrie Wood, Amy Wood of Austin, TX., Steve Wood and Janet Wood of California; sister, Betty Jane Hensley of Marion, NC; nieces, Lynn Wood, Judy Heath, Kim Wood, JoAnne Wood, Lori Hensley and Sandy Hensley; and nephews, Steve Wood, Ricky Wood, David Wood and Jay Hensley.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2011 at McDowell Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends prior to the graveside service from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Kirksey Funeral Home in Marion.

Words of comfort may be shared with the Wood family at www.kirkseyfhmarion.com.