William "Bill" Calvin Woodard, M.D.

He passed on September 15, 2022, at age 93.

He was born to Thad and Ida Woodard on December 25, 1928. He met the great love of his life, Mary Grace Rumley, on a blind date with life-long friends Gay and Jeanne Helm. They were married for 51 wonderful years.

He lived a life dedicated to helping others as a medical general practitioner. He graduated from UT Galveston and went straight into practice with his father. He leaves behind scores of patients who appreciated his medical expertise and gentle bedside manner.

His rich life included stints as a magician and a Cub Scout Scoutmaster. He also served in the Navy for two years.

He and Mary Grace were founding members of the “Bridge Club”. This was a group of lifelong friends that gathered to play bridge, tell jokes and laugh. Bridge Group met once a month throughout his entire adult life.

Bill had several serious hobbies. To get away from city life, he and Mary Grace bought a farm in nearby Blue Ridge, TX, where they restored the Victorian house, grew vegetables and bluebonnets and raised horses.

Music was another hobby. An accomplished performer, Bill played piano, harpsichord, recorder and cello. He was well known at Richland Junior College for retaking the basic composition class dozens of times, writing classical pieces that included small ensembles and even short operas.

He is survived by his children and their spouses: Will Woodard and wife Debbie, Lori Smith and husband Dr. Eric Smith and Cindy Woodard; 4 grandchildren (who knew Bill as “Doc”) and spouses: Preston Sagastegui-Smith and wife Veronica, Matthew Smith and wife Kristen, Madeline Priester and husband Jeff, and Calvin Woodard; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorials in Bill's name may be offered to The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX, 75701, (800) 777-9860.