On Thursday, June 9, 2022, CMSGT (Retired) William “Woody” O. Woodward and our beloved friend, went to his heavenly home while in the kind and loving care of Master’s Haven Assisted Living in Finksburg, MD. He was born on April 28, 1935 in West Chester, PA to the late Howard B. and Catherine Woodward, née Dects.

Woody is survived by his lifelong, loving friend since 1987, Barbara Sullivan; his daughter, Alison Woodward and her significant other, Jerome Deternan; his son, Stephen Woodward, and his wife Kimberly. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Chelsea Dardinski, Jordan, Dylan and Danny Woodward, Jessica Skipper and Brandi Kingry; four great-grandchildren, Blake, Connor, Harlow and Everly; one brother, Harold (Danny) Woodward and one sister, Patricia Isabella. In addition, Woody is survived by Barbara Sullivan’s son, Tony Buck; daughter, Sheri O’Donnell and husband Nathan, and their children Shane, and Shaun. He is preceded in death by his two brothers, Howard (Skip) and Tommy Woodward, his three sisters, Rosalie Rubbo, Diane Dirks, and Catherine Morrison, and by two brothers-in-law, Armand Rubbo and Vincent Isabella.


In 1952 at the age of 17 Woody entered into the United States Air Force. He did his basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. He spent his career working in the USAFSS Cryptographic Intelligence Branch and the Electronic Security Command. His travels as a young airman took him to many assignments that included the conflict in Korea where he became a Korean War Veteran, Misawa Japan, RAF Kirknewton, Scotland, San Antonio, Texas and Helsinki Finland where Woody was assigned to the American Embassy for four years, that was one of his favorite assignments. His travels took him to San Vito Air Station Italy, Taipei Taiwan, Iraklion Crete, Chicksands, England and Ramstein AFB Germany. He retired from his Air Force career at Fort Meade Maryland in 1984. After the Air Force he went on to work for The Docu-Data Corporation and Atlantic Coast Telesys Corporation which were both Department of Defense (DOD) contractors at the National Security Agency (NSA). He retired in 2006. Woody received numerous meritorious service awards throughout his military career.

We know that Woody is now at peace with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his heavenly home, not because of anything he did in this life, but because later in life, he made a profession of faith on the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5-7, Isaiah 53:5 For those of us who have done the same, Woody “we love you” and we know we will see you again. Thessalonians 4:13-18

Visitation is open to family and friends, June 17, 2022 from 10 am to 11 am at Eline Funeral Home, 11824 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136. Burial will follow at 3 pm at Green Mount Cemetery, 117 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19382.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Woody’s name to, The Baltimore Rescue Mission
PO Box 735, Baltimore, MD 21203-0735