October 30, 1926 - August 25, 2020
With great sadness we announce the passing of William Johnson "Bill" Woods on Tuesday August 25th, 2020. Bill passed away quietly in his sleep at the family home he built in 1968. Bill had a great zest for life that leaves a large hole in our family.
Predeceased by his parents Amelia and William "Pop", brothers Herbert and Benny, and sister Gladys.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Rita Louise Woods, sons Ken (Donna), Gary (Kelly), grandchildren Alison (Jake), Kelly (Corwin), Robert (Shannon) and their mother Judy, Jonathan (Amy), Lauren (Jeff), and 9 great-grandchildren, Addison, Avery, Alivia, Landon, Calvin, Mason, Dylan, Grayson, and Josephine.
Bill was born October 30th 1926 between the Great War and the Great Depression in the small outpost of Cumberland. Coal Miners came to Cumberland from around the world.
A tough environment where you fought your way to and from school. Where, as a young teenager of 15, Bill went to work at Comox Logging. Bill also worked at Yarrow #3 shipyard, built PBY's for Boeing in Vancouver, then earned a degree in diesel engineering.
Bill's drive and passion for family business created the Collingwood Inn, Woods Trucking, Woods Ready Mix, and Hyland Precast and Ready Mix.
Bill was a founding director of Mt. Beecher Ski Society. He helped built Forbidden Plateau Ski Hill where thousands learned to ski. At 82 Bill would still be seen skiing the slopes at Mt. Washington.
Bill was a member of the Comox Rotary Club, Sunnydale Golf Club, and the Masons. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, golfing, but his joy was building anything using wood or metals. Bill built 5 boats. The most famous was the 450 hp "Hylander".
Bill and Rita enjoyed many holidays from Germany to Japan, and California to Alaska.
A private family service was held on September 4th, 2020 at Piercy's Mt. Washington Funeral Home.
The Woods family would like to thank family and friends for their support, as well as Nurses Next Door for assisting with Bill's care and Piercy's for the thoughtful arrangements.
The grandkids will remember him, "full of jokes and laughter, 5 bucks and a box of chocolates!"
Bill was a fierce defender, full of boundless energy, generous, bullet straight to the truth, don't waste a minute, never give up, and an honest laugh. One of a kind!
A large Limb has fallen from the family tree, that says "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song, the good life I lived while I was Strong".
Two thumbs up and Tap it light!