Charles Richard Woodward

Charles Richard Woodward, 85, of Wilmington, NC passed away Friday, January 1, 2021 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. A native of Griffin, Georgia, he was the son of the late William Otto & Lucille Nixon Woodward.

A graduate of Stetson University in Deland, Florida, Charles moved to Wilmington in 1962 to accept a full-time position as Director of Music/Organist at the First Presbyterian Church from which he retired in 1996 after 34 years of service. During this time, he also accepted a part-time position at the Temple of Israel where he received an Honorary Membership, retiring in 2017 after 50 years of service. The Temple’s Henry Pilcher organ is named in his honor. He also taught piano and organ to many students.

During his retirement, he worked for a time as organist at Andrews Mortuary and continued playing the organ at various churches until the beginning of the pandemic last March. He was a member of the current Wilmington, NC Chapter of the American Guild of Organists since the chapter’s formation in 1989. He was an active member of the Downtown Wilmington Rotary Club for 40 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow.

A life-long organist and avid reader, Charles enjoyed attending organ concerts and often shared his vast knowledge of pipe organs, organists, and the local Wilmington community; he will be greatly missed. At his request, memorial donations may be made to the Temple of Israel, PO Box 4879, Wilmington, NC 28406. No services are planned at this time.