of Mountain Home, AR
November 26, 2020
Bill Woodiel passed away peacefully Thanksgiving morning in his home surrounded by his wife Louise (Mary Lou), daughter Kay Woodiel and grandson Jesse Woodiel.
Bill graduated from Little Rock High School in 1944 where he was a member of the state championship Tiger football team, earning All Conference, All State and All Southern honors. He earned a football scholarship to Tulane University and played one year before being drafted into the Navy. He served at the end of World War II on the USS Randolph, an aircraft carrier as a weatherman. He was also a member of the Naval Station Football team.
Upon discharge from the Navy he finished his undergraduate degree at Arkansas Tech University, where he played on the football team earning All AIC three years as a tackle. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas earning a Master's degree in Counseling and completed an advanced degree in Counseling at Michigan State University. He and his wife moved to Mountain Home in 1994 and were blessed to enjoy many years of retirement as it was meant to be. He was a beloved husband and father, brother, grandfather, teacher, coach, uncle and historian. One of his proudest accomplishments was his coaching career at Hamburg and Warren. His 1955 Warren football team was 11-0 and ranked first in the state. He was most proud of teaming with artist Pat Musick and astronaut Jerry Carr to produce the book ''Stone Songs on the Trail of Tears: The Journey of an Installation ''in 2005.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Louise Marie "Mary Lou" Woodiel of the home; 3 daughters, Laura (George) Ryan of New York, Dr. Kay Woodiel of Little Rock, and Charlotte (Joe) Mraz of California and a daughter in law, Kate Terry of Massachusetts; four grandsons and four great grandchildren; two brothers, Dale Woodiel of Connecticut and Dr Neil Woodiel of Tennessee and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, SA and Lucille Woodiel, brothers Jack Woodiel and Dr. Shelby Woodiel, sister Maureen Shireman and son William Eugene Woodiel Jr. .
Arrangements are by Roller Funeral Home of Mountain Home and are private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to a charity of your choice. The family would like to express their appreciation to Elite Home Health Care, Home Instead and Hospice of North Arkansas.
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19 Condolence(s)
Gayle L Moynihan
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Sorry to find this notice online announcing Bill's passing in 2020. Bill and I worked together many years ago as Tour Directors (Four Winds) in North America out of NYC .
I was cleaning out some files and found some old correspondence/notes we shared for our tours, I did a search to see if Bill was still in NJ when I came across this.
Bill was very knowledgeable and helpful when I prepared for these tours, he was a fountain of information, always willing to share. The smile in the photos on this page is just as I remembered him. RIP Bill.
Happy Trails, Gayle Moynihan
Chris & Fran Woodiel
Monday, August 2, 2021
We are just now getting the news of cousin Bill’s passing. He was quite a character; always enjoyed seeing him the half-dozen times or so I saw him many of which, unfortunately, were at funerals. Condolences to his family on their loss.
gregory makela
Friday, December 4, 2020
Rest easy big Bill, thanks for your wonderful stories and that twinkle in your eye. We'll see you down the Trail of Tears.
Andy Gibbs
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Dear Woodiel Family:
You are and will be in our thoughts and prayers. Coach Woodiel was a great friend and mentor to my Father, Ernie Gibbs. Reflect on the good memories and legacy Mr. Woodiel left for us. The time that Coach Woodiel had Dad elected as cheerleader after my Father quit the football team in Warren, AR comes to mind. Dad came back and the rest of his life, he never quit anything thanks to Coach Woodiel. The lessons Ernie learned were passed on to us. Thank you for this blessing.
Mary Carville
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Mary Lou may you & family feel the comfort of all who knew" your Bill " at this time of your sorrow God Bless ,Mary Carville & (the late Don Hunter) Friends
Jonathan Portis
Sunday, November 29, 2020
May the Woodiel family find comfort in recollecting Bill’s many stellar accomplishments in education and athletics. My father, who was the school superintendent at Hamburg, hired Bill as the football coach but quickly learned that Bill was a true scholar who believed in, and relentlessly encouraged, the intellectual possibilities of every student. Hundreds of Coach Woodiel’s former students around the U.S. and the world owe him a debt of gratitude for his wise counsel and his inspiration for learning. We are sad to see Bill go but we are ever thankful that we were graced with his presence.
—Jonathan Portis, on behalf of the Portis family
Kate Terry
Sunday, November 29, 2020
My dear father-in-law, always with a sparkle in his eye and a joke on his lips. That's. how I will remember him. He was a multi-faceted, talented man who could speak on many subjects. It was always a pleasure to listen to his life's anecdotes and wisdom. The end of an era, he will be greatly missed. Rest well, Bill.
Bill Spivey
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Dear Woodiel Family:
I remember Coach Woodiel and your family well from your brief stay in Hamburg many years ago. I know that our father, John, considered him to be a good friend and would mourn his passing. I'm confident that they are once again sharing one another's company and some hearty laughs. Please accept our deepest sympathies on your loss.
Respectfully,
Bill Spivey, on behalf of the Spivey Family
LaDonna Woodiel
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Condolences to the family , Uncle Bill leaves many memories for me to cherish always ! Love you all . Hugs and comfort sent i to our way !
Carol Miller Gresham
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Woodiel Family - So sorry for your loss - Bill volunteered at ASUMH when I was there and was always so friendly and helpful. Also, his brother Shelby and my Dad (Russell Miller) were great friends from DeWitt. And my Dad’s birthday was July 27th. You should be very proud of the heritage and light your dad brought to so many. Prayers for all of you.
Carol Miller Gresham
Pat Babcock
Saturday, November 28, 2020
I am one on the nurses that had the pleasure of working with Bill in cardiac rehab. We have moved to Indiana, but I will never forget Bill’s smile and how he always asked how I was doing. It was a pleasure to know him.
Paula Abrams
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Bill and Mary Lou have been part of my life for 63 years. Bill will be missed by all who knew him as a loving, kind and thoughtful man. Love and prayers for my BFF Mary Lou and the family.
Kevin Bodenhamer
Saturday, November 28, 2020
I’m glad to have known Bill and got to go on some adventures with him. (Trail of Tears/ his book project) Loved hearing his stories of life. I still tell his story to my history students. I will see you later my friend.
Mearl Plunkett
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Mary Lou, I enjoy being around you and Bill while working for both of you as a caregiver. Our Prayers are with you and your family.
Carol and Gerald Harvell
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Kay and family... we send our love and sympathy to you...your father did some amazing things with his life and I know you are so proud of him... Thinking of you all at this time...
Dianna Roller
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Mary Lou and family,
When I heard the news of Bill's passing, I was deeply saddened. I have not seen him or visited with him for several years, but he was one of my favorite people. Our association in the local historical society was one I treasure. Bill was a wonderful man, interesting conversationalist and accomplished so much in his life.
Please accept my condolences. I am keeping you and all your family close in my thoughts and prayers. He will be missed by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known and loved him. You have my deepest and heart felt sympathy at this time.
Sincerely,
Dianna Roller
joe Smith
Saturday, November 28, 2020
I only got to visit with Bill a few times at book signings, etc. but I thoroughly enjoyed every visit. He started me on a path that led to my getting my copy of "True Grit" signed by Charles Portis, who was a friend of Bill. He was an exceptional person.
Karen matlock
Friday, November 27, 2020
Mary Lou, I am so sorry, for the loss of bill, he was an amazing man and I know the love of your life, my prayers and sympathy to you and your family, I love you and if you need anything please call
Andrew Abrams
Friday, November 27, 2020
What I know of Bill, and the time I spent with him, he was a great man. He was good to his family, friends and anyone he met. Prayers for his entire family, and especially Mary Lou. I hope Bill and my father have reunited with one another.