William "Billy" Wood

Born October 25, 1945, in Wilmington, he was the son of the late Walter Lane and Alice Horton Wood. Billy is survived by his daughter, Angie and son-in-law, Keith Casha; grandchildren, Gracelynn and Aaron (Abigail); sister, Alice Guyton; nephew, Randy Webb (Sharon); niece, Shella Ferguson (Doug); grand nieces, grand nephews and one great-grand nephew. 

A life-long resident of New Hanover County, “Billy” had a giant personality and an even bigger laugh. He could always be found in a crowd. He never met a stranger and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a charter member of Ogden Baptist Church and served the church as a deacon, Building and Grounds Committee member, Sunday School Teacher and fish fry chef with his own chuck wagon. 

Billy graduated in 1964 from New Hanover High School and shortly thereafter started to work  at General Electric where he met people who remember him today. He couldn’t resist the chance to join his Dad in the refrigeration business and this was the stepping stone for him to open his own company, “Wood & Son Heating and Air Conditioning” on Gordon Road. He and his dad built the shop where they worked and it still has an operating business in it today. Part of his cherished memories was working with his nephew, Randy, and part of his legacy in New Hanover County was mentoring Benny Simmons, who still works in the industry today.  

Billy was an avid outdoorsman; working the land with all types of tractors, fishing, boating and water-skiing. Some of his favorite memories were taking his daddy’s boat up and down the intracoastal waterway as a little boy and as an adult, running a net across the same waterway to catch spots. Those fishing nights were more fun when he would catch fish and cook them up right there on the water. Ironically, he fished with nets made by John A Casha Jr., who would turn out to be the father of his son-in-law. Billy traded in his fishing for time with family and friends enjoying the water. Billy himself could slalom and it thrilled him to teach family and friends how to waterski. Billy loved taking the family to Rich’s Inlet and the family has wonderful memories anchoring the boat at Pizza Hut at Wrightsville Beach.

Billy was a member of the Horse Island Hunting Club in Bolivia, NC. He and Angie enjoyed Saturdays in Brunswick County for several years. It was through this connection he met his late fishing buddy and got into fishing King Mackerel Tournaments and was part of the Brunswick County Fishing Club. In his later years, Billy was a member of the Wallace Hunting Club in Pender County, where he enjoyed taking his chuck wagon to the camp. 

Billy always had a story or a joke to tell. Even at the end, his daughter learned about horses he once had, and the many changes in New Hanover County. He loved his family and spending time with them. He believed in leaving places and people better than when you found them. But most importantly, He believed in the Lord.  As a Christian man, Billy did not fear death. He didn't fear it as an end, but saw it as a new beginning. His faith in Christ promised that his final breath on Earth would be the first breath in eternity with his Savior. The sorrow of all of us left behind is real, but tempered by the hope of the resurrection and the sure knowledge that Billy is now home, no longer burdened by the trials of this world. His life was a journey toward this very moment, and in death, he is now experiencing ultimate victory and peace.

While it is impossible to know everyone who supported Billy these last 9 months, the family would like to thank NorthChase Rehabilitation and Nursing Center staff for their care, and recognize Tracy and Fran. Billy said he knew he wasn’t able to be at home and NorthChase was his favorite place of all the ones he had stayed.  

The family requests if you would like to make any donations in his memory, to make them to NorthChase Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 3015 Enterprise Dr., Wilmington, NC 28405; Ogden Baptist Church, 7121 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28411; or to the charity of your choice.   

Billy’s home will be open Thursday for anyone who would like to stop by and share a story or two. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025, with visitation an hour prior to the service at Andrews Mortuary - Market Street Chapel. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park on Shipyard Boulevard.

Please leave condolences for the family on the guestbook.