James William "Bill" Woods, 78, of Edina, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, November 6, 2007, while working at his residence near Edina, Missouri.
Bill was born on December 26, 1928, in Cass County, Illinois, just outside of Ashland, the son of Everett Jefferson and Helen Collins Woods.
He was raised near Ashland, Illinois, and graduated from the Ashland Community High School in the Class of 1946. Bill owned and operated the Shell Gasoline Station for several years and worked at the Ashland Farmers Elevator before moving to Edina, Missouri, in 1959. Bill and Mary farmed east of Edina, Missouri, until his retirement at which time he started working at the Cahalan White Castle Station in Edina, Missouri.
On October 25, 1947, in Ashland, Illinois, Bill married Mary Sylvan Douglas, and they celebrated 60 years together.
Bill was a member of the Edina United Methodist Church, Clancy Club, Farm Bureau, Knox County Extension where he received an award for best soybeans in the county, and also received an award from the conservation for his windbreak he planted.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Woods of Edina, Missouri; a son, Kevin and his wife, Vicki Woods of Burlington, Iowa; a daughter, Karen Hall of Edina, Missouri; two sisters, Helen Louise and her husband, Jesse Parsons of Decatur, Illinois; and Shirley Ann and her husband, Marcus Whisnant of St. Charles, Illinois; a brother-in-law, Lynn and his wife, Nancy Douglas of Edina, Missouri; five grandchildren, Hollyn and her husband, Alex Rodeck of Enid, Oklahoma; Liana Woods of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Shannon Woods of Burlington, Iowa; Kari Hall-Garrett of Edina, Missouri; and Kyle Hall of Rolla, Missouri; two great grandchildren, Logan Garrett and Jackson Rodeck; along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Harlan Hall on July 31, 1999.
Funeral services were on Friday, November 9, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Edina United Methodist Church in Edina, Missouri.
Burial was in the Ashland Cemetery in Ashland, Illinois.
Reverend Ken Green officiated and music was provided by Carol Hayes, Nancy Reardon and Fred Kinsel. Casket Bearers were Steve Cahalan, Derek Cahalan, Martin Edwards, Alan Peavler, Gary Cahalan, Rayden Gilbert and Mark Parrish along with Honorary Bearers Pete Bangert, Robert Hayes, Bill Hayes, David Mackey, Albert Hagerla, Elmer Brown, and David Hinds.
A memorial to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or the Donor's Choice may be mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.
