William Woods Obituary

Woods, William Edward William "Bud" Edward Woods, Jr., 87, born and raised in Chicago, the son of William E. and Pearl (Gordon) Woods, passed into eternal life peacefully at his home in Evergreen Park on October 25, 2015, surrounded by loving family. He and his bride of 54 years Margaret Louise Byrnes were married on August 16, 1952. She preceded him in death. His family was his pride and joy, together they raised 8 children and were blessed with 16 grandchildren. With a commitment to lifelong learning, he was the first in his family to attend college. He worked and saved to assure that each of his children could attend college. He also began college funds for each grandchild. Professionally, he began his teaching career with Chicago Public Schools at Carter Elementary, and then the Chicago City Colleges of Wilson Junior College, Kennedy King Community College, Southwest Community College and Richard J. Daley College as a professor of Library Sciences. His love was helping others open their world to knowledge, whether that was the imagination of fiction or finding facts and figures. He retired in 1991. He was also an entrepreneur, having started 2 businesses, Woods Library Publishing Co. (the predecessor of Google search engine) and Air Repair. Both were ways to bring in additional income for the growing family, quench his appetite for challenge and give his children a variety of experiences. He was a Veteran of two military branches, having served in the US Army, earning the rank of Corporal and as an Ensign in the US Navy and Naval Reserve. He was a graduate of De La Salle High School, Chicago Teachers College, and the University of Chicago. He was a member of Most Holy Redeemer Parish. He enjoyed showing movies at the Evergreen Park Senior Center each week, having lunch with his "R.O.M.E.Os", traveling and exploring new places by land and by sea, watching the White Sox, hosting band practice in the basement, family musical concerts on July 4th and Thanksgiving and having a house full of his kids and grandkids. He is survived by his children, William "Larry" (Maria) Woods of Manhattan Beach CA, Elizabeth (Kenneth) Wartenberg, Daniel (Angela) Woods of Effingham IL, Timothy (Nancy) Woods, Thomas (Carol) Woods, Margaret "Peggy" (Scott) Foster, Jennifer (Joe) Conway, and Andrew "AJ" (fianceé Ellen Lampros) Woods; grandchildren to whom he was "Poppy": Sean, Logan, Ryan, Rory, Jeremiah, Patrick, Michael, Iain, Madeline, Adam, Matthew, Kristen, Margaret, Hannah, Kevin; Sisters, Rose (Edward) Gorecki, Joan (James) Kirchner; sister-in-law, Suzanne (Kenneth) Holm; and brother-in-law Ralph (Judy) Byrnes; dear friend Mary Alice Roche; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret; sister, Nancy (Carmen) Ferrallo; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Ruth Byrnes; and grandson Colin Woods. Visitation, Wednesday 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. Funeral, Thursday, 9:30 a.m. from Curley Funeral Home (Heeney-Laughlin Directors) 6116 W. 111th St., Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 to Most Holy Redeemer Church 9525 S. Lawndale Ave., Evergreen Park, IL 60805. Mass, 10:30 a.m. Interment, St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials to Paralyzed Veterans of America, 2122 West Taylor St., Room 126, Chicago, IL 60612 are most appreciated. Funeral Information: Heeney-Laughlin Funeral Directors, 708-636-5500 or www.heeneyfh.com.