Roy T. WOODALL

WILLIAMSBURG - Roy T. Woodall, 78, died Dec. 15, 2010. Roy was born in Portsmouth, Va., on Nov. 17, 1932, to Beulah Myers and Lewis Roland Woodall. He grew up in Norfolk, Va.
He is survived by three children, Chelsea Woodall of Williamsburg, Caitlin Woodall Barnett of Toano, and Kermit Woodall of Richmond; he is also survived by his former wife and good friend, Suzy Woodall of Williamsburg and four grandchildren.
A gifted artist, Roy graduated from Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU) with a BFA, and received a Fulbright Scholarship to study art in Italy. Roy was an acclaimed painter, the first photorealist painter in Virginia, winning several awards for his work over the years, two of which were grants from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts which took him to NYC to study painting and printmaking. He spent most of his career running Roy Woodall Associates in Williamsburg, an exhibits design firm, and was formerly the Director of the Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts as well as the Director of Exhibits at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for 11 years. Often described as a "lovable rascal," Roy had a passion for living and a love of nature. He was mischievous, adventurous, generous, intelligent, eccentric, charming, romantic and an irrepressible free spirit. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of classical music and loved taking long car rides exploring the back country roads of Virginia and North Carolina while taking photographs and painting, kayaking, stopping in on old friends and making new ones. He lived the last 25 years of his life on his beloved house boat, the Adrian Nell. There will never be another like him in this world, and he will be sorely missed by the many who love him.
A private ceremony will be held by his family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Roy's favorite organization, Friends of the Dragon Run, P.O. Box 882 Gloucester, VA 23061.
A special thank you to everyone at Riverside Convalescent Center in Smithfield, Va., particularly Lisa Green, who took such great care of him in the last year of his life. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.