Woodrow Wilson Wood Jr.

Woodrow Wilson Wood Jr. of Springdale, AR, left this world to be with our Lord and Savior on August 26, 2024, after a lengthy illness, with his family by his side.

Woody, as his friends called him, was born in Little Rock, AR, on January 16, 1945, to Wilson and Ruth Wood of Ola, AR. Woody was a graduate of Ola Public Schools. After high school, Woodrow answered his country's call and joined the United States Navy. He served two terms in Vietnam as a radar operator for the elite VP-46 patrol squadron known as the Grey Knights. During the Vietnam War, he was exposed to agent orange that had lasting effects on his health and ultimately led to his demise. He made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and freedom.

Woody returned from the war and attended Arkansas Tech University until he and his brother took over his father's business, Wood Lumber Company. After selling the business to Deltic Farm and Timber, Woody became an over the road truck driver. He owned five trucks that were dispatched out of our home and employed four other drivers. When he wasn't on the road, he installed satellite dishes as a side gig, was a cattle farmer, and enjoyed spending time on the farm, and had a love for fishing.

He loved teaching his kids about farming and the importance of picking up rocks on the hay field ahead of hay season. At times, Woody was a visionary, he came up with the idea to train one of our family horses, Charlie, to earn his keep by herding cattle when it was time for the cattle to have their shots. However, this idea went terribly wrong. Several death threats were made on Charlie's life during the training process, and it was finally determined training Charlie was futile. Charlie taught the cattle to flee when it came time for veterinary care. Dad began questioning if farming was the best choice after multiple events. One, that was perhaps a turning point, involved Jo Ann, at night in the hay barn with a flashlight and a snake. Dad was an investigator. After a thorough investigation regarding the car headlights and flood lights failing, he told mom "It's damn time we take that BB gun from Jason!" He also used his skills to determine that Bobby had taken Mom's car for a joy ride which caused conflict because Jo Ann was in denial. However, it was later confirmed by Mom's co-worker that Bobby did in fact take the car on a joy ride.

Woodrow also loved photography and practiced his craft on family. Adjusting the lens took a large amount of time which created tension amongst family members, leading to frustration because of the extended smiling periods. It was during family photography sessions dad coined the phrase, smile dammit, which is still referenced during family events. Finally, when pictures were developed it didn't matter if you were smiling, headless family members had to be identified by the shoes on their feet.

In 1989 Woody was hired as a Walmart driver, so he and Jo Ann sold their farm and home and relocated to Springdale, AR. He drove for Walmart 26 years and received multiple awards for attendance and driving, including a 2,805,741 safe driving miles award, until he retired in 2014.

Woody was a member of the Petite Jean Masonic Lodge and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was also a lifetime member of the NRA, and strongly believed in our right to bear arms. He had a passion for NASCAR and Ford vehicles. He especially loved mustangs and his prize possession, a modified 56 Ford pickup, which won multiple awards including Best in Show. During time off and after retiring, Woody and Jo loved spending time with friends at car shows, where he showcased his car collection. They also enjoyed taking road trips and going out to dance the Texas swing. Woody's favorite performer was George Strait, and he was an avid Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys fan.

Woodrow is proceeded in death by his parents and a brother, Russel Karl Wood of Ola, AR.

Woody had many survivors that loved and cared for him. His loving wife of 54 years, JoAnn Ashley Wood. Three children; Natasha Wood (Kerri) of Bentonville, AR, Jason Buford (Jeannie) of Ola, AR, Bobby Buford (Jane) of Springfield, MO. One brother; Rick Wood (Sandy) of Ola, AR. Seven grandchildren; Ashley Sowers (Andrew) of Plantsville, CT, Josh Buford (Christina) of Springfield, MO, Ryan Buford (Destiny) of Dardanelle, AR, Anam Sulvetta of Tulsa, OK. And Ashton Wood of Bentonville, AR. Six great grandkids; Emma, Jackson, Jace, Annabelle, Brixton, and Thatcher.

Papa Woody/Gramps loved spending time with his family and always had a lap available for whoever wanted to sit a spell. When one of the kids wasn't in his lap, he'd have a cat or dog piled up with him watching a Western.

We will miss Woody tremendously, but his love, kindness, and gentle nature will carry forward in our hearts until we see each other again.

A celebration of life memorial will be on September 7, at 2:00 P.M. at Cornwell Funeral Home Chapel, in Dardanelle, AR.

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.