William C. "Bill" Woodward, Sr.

WOODWARD William C. “Bill” Sr., was born June 17, 1919. He went to meet His Lord and departed loved ones on December 9, 2019, quietly passing away in his sleep. He was married for 60 years to Raydoice “Rae” Woodward and raised four sons: William C. Woodward Jr. (wife Lynnea now deceased), Phillip Marcus Woodward (wife Karen), and Stephen Douglas Woodward (wife Donna). His fourth son, Christopher Ray Woodward is deceased but survived by his wife Margaret. Bill also experienced a wonderful second marriage later in life to wife Jeannie for three much-too-short years. Through Jeannie, he also enjoyed three step children, Nyla Wallin, Adina Valentine, and James Casey and Jeannie’s eight grandchildren. Jeannie and Bill met through Christopher’s introduction. Bill is survived by 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren through his four sons. Bill met Rae in Norman, Oklahoma where they attended the University of Oklahoma. Bill majored in Zoology, and participated in ROTC. Bill joined the Army with a commission of Second Lieutenant. He served in Europe in the 94th Division, beginning in July, 1944 a few weeks after D-Day. His service saw him awarded with the Bronze Star, Air Medal, and Purple Heart all for bravery. After the war, following a brief position in New York State, he returned to Oklahoma with wife Rae and son Bill Jr. to help his brother James L. “Jim” Woodward build a cabinet making business known as Woodward Brothers. This would eventually lead to the formation of a steel as well as wooden fixture manufacturing company, the Kent Western Corporation, co-managed with Jim and his eldest son, Bill Jr. Bill and Rae, along with Jim and his wife Elna, were charter members of Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church in 1954. Bill also was a dedicated Rotarian and served as a District Governor for the North Oklahoma City Rotary Club. His life was a perfect example of “the Greatest Generation.” He will be sorely missed, but the family rejoices that he is now alive in an eternal home surrounded by many family members and friends who preceded him.