William Woodard Obituary

William Woodard NORFOLK - William Thel Woodard, 71 years young, passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2010. He is survived by family and friends who loved him very much and will greatly miss him. He retired from Dixie Manufacturing after several years of service. Thel's survivors include three brothers, James William Joseph "Puddney" Sanderlin, Dale Worth Woodard and Anthony Wayne Sanderlin, all of Norfolk; and two sisters, Mary Louise McClave of California and Carlita Yvonne Wheeler of Norfolk. He was predeceased by a sister, Dorthia Anne Bonnin of Connecticut and many nieces and nephews. He leaves behind his "extended family" from Kelly's Tavern, Colley Avenue, which includes Becky and Jim, Joann and Joe, Jill and Eric, Mark, Jackie and Lewis, Sev and Carol, Dale, Falon and Jason, Juanita, Melvin, Sue, Denise, Brittany, Amy and Ben, Fay, Jerome, Bobby, Mike, Melody, Mary Lou, Kiki, Abdul, Cliff, Scope, Sparky, Page and Jett and Jack Anderson (posthumously). If "Puddney" missed anyone it was not intentional. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, followed by a funeral at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters in memory of "Thel Woodard."

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Jul. 17, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for William Woodard

8 Entries

Robert King

September 4, 2025

Many of us old timers from Lamberts Point, some of us spread around the country and the world, look back at that interesting part of Norfolk where we grew up hard boiled, and reflect on it´s inhabitants, name by name, and Thel would most likely be at the top of the list, Mr. Lamberts Point himself. Thel was legendary in that respect.

Bobby King
Carmel California

David McClave

July 29, 2010

Thel although its been many years I still remember the good times we had I wish we had more but that is life and it goes on I know that your passing has affected alot of people for you always had alot of freinds. Your passing is the same as losing a part of ghent that will live on foreveri peoples heart. May you rest in peace To your family find peace of mind that he is resting in peace and that his loss affects alot of us. May God bless

Paige Rose

July 24, 2010

Our daily walks through the neighborhood will not be the same without seeing "our man on the porch" every afternoon with his cool beverage,greeting us daily with a hearty, "Good afternoooooon"! and then an update on his gardening feats (volunteer pumpkin vine!), some commiseration about the weather or a reported sighting of my husband with a "young girl" the day before (it was actually my husband's niece and we still chuckle over this)! Thanks for keeping an eye out! We always looked forward to chatting with him as we passed by and he always seemed glad to see us for a quick afternoon update. We never knew each other's names, but were a part of each other's life around 5:30 pm each day. "Our man on the porch"/Thel, you are already deeply missed. Our heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends. Paige, Fred, Natalie and "Roux" Rose on Graydon Ave.

Sean McClave

July 19, 2010

Rest In Peace, you are so missed already.

Vicki McDermott

July 18, 2010

I was very sorry to hear of Thale's passing. It has been many years since we last saw each other on Raleigh Ave, but I always enjoyed seeing him as a neighbor. He was a very nice person. My sympathy to Thale's family and friends.
Sincerely,
Vicki Jo (Long) McDermott

Louise McClave

July 17, 2010

Thel

I love you and will always have you in my thoughts every day. I will especially miss our Sunday phone calls while you were sitting on the porch "watching the girls walking by ". I know that you are smiling for you are finally able to see Mom again. We will miss you so much, you will never know how many times in my life that the stories and some of the crazy things that you and I and Puddney did that have made so many people laugh and wonder if I was making them up. I remember the one thing that people use to always ask me was "Why didn't Thel ever marry" and I would always reply with your most famous saying" Why get married and make one women miserable, when you can stay single and make them all miserable". I know that someday we will see each other again. So stay out of trouble and don't run all of the women crazy in Heaven and remember that I will miss you so much and I love you

Your Little Sister

Lynette Ellis Metz

July 17, 2010

Puddney, I am so saddened to find that another one has joined the Lambert's Point Party in heaven! At least three in the past two weeks! Rejoice for he is no longer in pain; cry for your loss here on earth. Blessings to you & all of the family.

July 17, 2010

I am very sorry to hear of Thel's passing. It has been many, many years since I have seen Thel but when he and Puddney lived across the street from me (Raleigh Ave.) he was always fun and full of himself.

He will be missed by all those who knew him when and know him now.

Joanne Patterson Derring

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