Billy Hall Wood

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love; I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true. It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do."

Today, Billy Wood knows “of unseen things above” as one of God's chosen servants was called home on June 15, 2024. I Love to Tell the Story was one of Billy Wood's favorite hymns. That first stanza summarizes the mission and focus of Billy's 92 years of life.

Billy Wood loved four things. The Lord, the Lord's church, his family, and his country. His love for the Lord began at the age of 10 in Powhatan, Louisiana when he put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ for his salvation. He faithfully served the Lord for the next 82 years as he and Martha moved all over the world after he joined the United States Air Force in 1951. Billy was a Deacon, a Sunday School teacher, a bus ministry worker, an RA and AWANA leader, and served on numerous committees over the decades. For the last 30 years of his life, Billy continued to tell the story through his work with the Bossier Camp of The Gideons International.

Billy served his country for nearly four decades. He retired from his years of active duty in the Air Force with the rank of Chief Master Sargent. He served for another decade in Civil Service at Barksdale, Offutt, and Scott Air Force Bases. Wherever Billy and Martha lived, they proudly displayed an American flag, whether they lived in base housing, their RV, or their personal residence.

Billy Wood leaves a rich legacy of family, who he showed his love for every day. He is survived by his life partner of 72 years of marriage, Martha Nell Taylor Wood and their two children—Ken Wood of Bossier City, La (wife Denise) and Becky Wood Moore of Shreveport, La (husband Lane); four grandchildren Christopher Wood (wife Lindsay), Steven Wood (wife Tiffany), Tyler Moore (wife Mallory), and Ashlen Moore Strahan (husband Barrett); and five great grandchildren—Nathaniel, Nicholas, Rylann, Aubrey, and Taylor. Billy is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jo Beth Taylor, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Billy was born into a blessed family as the youngest of four children to Haughton O’Neal and Christine Seabaugh Wood in a logging community between Alden Bridge and Rocky Mount, La. He was preceded in death by his parents and older siblings Jim Price (JP), Haughton O’Neal, Jr. (Bo), and sister Louise.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

*In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Gideons International, Bossier City Camp, P.O. Box 5154, Bossier City, La 71171-5154.