James was born November 25, 1954 in San Antonio, TX, to Thomas Ray and Marilyn Rose (Milton) Woolridge. He proudly served in the United States Air Force. He married Joanne Elizabeth Allsup on June 28, 1986. She passed April 18, 2021. James worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation for many years in the Leroy yard and retiring in the Bloomington yard. He loved his friends, fishing, traveling and riding motorcycles.
He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Woolridge; two brothers, Tom (Kathy) Woolridge of Atlanta, IL and Jeff Woolridge of Leroy, IL; one niece, Brandy (Jarrad) Hayes, six nephews, Les Strohkirch, Gary Ray Woolridge, TJ (Wendi) Woolridge, Jason (Kassie) Woolridge, Tyler (Cassie) Woolridge and Dylan Woolridge; and one sister-in-law, Sue Woolridge of Bloomington, IL.
He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Gary Woolridge.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Post 624 at 203 East Main Street, Heyworth, Illinois 61745. Memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.eastlawnmemorial.com.