Joseph "Steve" Woods

Joseph "Steve" Woods, 56, of Springfield, died at 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center. Steve was born April 22, 1953 in Bremerton, WA, the son of George L. Woods, Sr. and Priscilla Blessing Woods. Steve was a graduate of Riverton High School. He received his Automotive Master Technician Certification through General Motors and was employed by Grey Chevrolet in Washington State and Huber Pontiac in Springfield. Steve graduated from the 2005 Central Illinois Farm Beginnings Program. He was a Chief Master Sergeant of the Illinois Air National Guard serving as the Chief of Operations for the 183rd Civil Engineering Squadron, and served overseas in Iraq and the Indian Ocean region. Steve loved working with Boy Scout Troop 1, and is a member of the IL Meat Goat Association and the Lincoln Land Beekeeper's Association. He enjoyed cooking, flying, carpentry work, tinkering, helping others, and spending time with family. He looked forward to his time working on Flower Creek Farm. He is preceded in death by his father; infant siblings Mary & Joseph; and father-in-laws, Edward G. Cox and Robert L. Keffer. Steve is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Anna Woods (Daniel Knox) of Chicago; sons, Stephen (Shalonda Carr) Woods of Urbana and Adam J. Woods of Springfield; granddaughters, Phoena Woods-Carr and Katie Woods; mother, Priscilla Woods of Springfield; sisters, Lillian Blessing of Lakeland, FL, Maggie Woods (Bob) Deaton and Jane (Robert) Squires of Springfield; brother, George (LeeAnn) Woods, Jr. of Athens; mother-in-law, Doris Mae Cox of Springfield; brother-in-law, Charles E. (Rose A.) Cox of Athens; Marianna Keffer of Auburn, WA; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Public Graveside Ceremonies will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Illinois Air National Guard 183rd Fighter Wing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Boy Scouts of America, 5231 S. 6th St. Rd., Springfield, IL 62703, The American Red Cross (Illinois Chapter), 1045 Outer Park Dr., Springfield, IL 62704 or to The American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703. A special thanks to the friends of Bill W.