MOUNTAIN HOME — 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 wife, Louise Marie “Mary Lou” Woodiel of the home; three 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 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.
For online condolences please visit our online guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/mtnhome.