William Peter Wood Jr.

February 18, 1941 – December 16, 2025

William Peter Wood, Jr. was born on February 18, 1941, in Newburgh, NY, to Ruth Elizabeth Clark and William Peter Wood, Sr. Raised in Beacon, NY, Bill’s childhood was spent living above a furniture store, until his family bought their first home when he was 13. As a teenager, Bill worked as a soda jerk and at the local drive-in theater.

After graduating from Wappingers Central School, Bill attended Dutchess Community College. It was then that a simple act of kindness would change his life. A friend asked him for a ride to enlist in the Air Force, but after learning his friend had a heart murmur and could not join, Bill found himself enlisting instead. His service took him to bases in the South and, for his overseas duty, to Bermuda. His parents visited him while he was stationed there.

While serving in the Air Force, Bill’s parents moved to Southern California. Shortly before completing his military service, Bill experienced the loss of his mother. Afterward, he moved to California to live with his father and began working at GTE, where he met the love of his life, Linda.

Bill and Linda were married on June 28, 1969, and shared 55 years of marriage. Together, they raised three daughters, Misty, Tiffany, and Kristin, and were blessed with 12 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

The family attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Santa Ana, CA, where the girls attended school. Tiffany and Kristin later graduated from Lutheran High School in Orange County.

After retiring from GTE at the age of 50, Bill and Linda moved to Tukwila, WA, to be closer to family. There they joined Bethel Lutheran Church in 1991. In 1996, they relocated to Pe Ell, WA, to a home along the Chehalis River. It was there they became members of Peace Lutheran Church in Chehalis, WA.

Bill was a dedicated member of his community, volunteering at the Senior Center, 23 years as dish washer and giver of good hugs. He also participated in fundraising projects through the Kiwanis Club, including hosting many coffee stops at I-5 rest areas.

A passionate storyteller, Bill shared fond memories of his life with friends and family. He enjoyed playing the stock market, making spreadsheets, and taking road trips. He drove cross country to New York and Pennsylvania five times to reconnect with family and friends. He was always up for a drive, to see what there was to see.

Bill’s love for his family was immeasurable. He will be remembered as a man of great character, often lending a helping hand anonymously. He passed away peacefully at home, on the Chehalis River that he loved, surrounded by his beloved wife, Linda, and daughters Tiffany and Kristin, on December 16, 2025, at 12:15 AM after 16-month in hospice care.

Bill often told his daughters, “Life is not fair! Fair is a place where they give blue ribbons to pigs!” Despite this, he always believed he had lived a blessed life. He leaves behind many cherished memories that will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

A Memorial Service in Bill's honor will be held Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 2pm at Peace Lutheran Church

2071 Bishop Rd., Chehalis, WA.