Billy Gene WOOD

WOOD, Billy ("Bill") Gene 85; was born November 9, 1929 and was an Air Force Veteran, an engineer, and a college professor at ASU, just to name three of his careers. He lived in AZ for the last 60 years of his life where he made a life with wife Ellen, and children Lorelei and Travis.Bill belonged to a vast number of service organizations and clubs, his earliest was Ham Radio where he served to connect soldiers and their family members via radio during the Vietnam War. Other various electronics groups and clubs, even the ASU Faculty Senate (no, he didn't wear a toga!), model airplanes, Boy Scouts, neighborhood block watch groups, even as a volunteer flood irrigation trouble-shooter for his Mesa flood irrigation neighborhood, and the American Legion. Bill was also an avid bass fisherman.Bill was blessed with incredible energy and drive. He kept active until he passed away on September 20, 2015. He enjoyed volunteer work and was ready to help anyone with his cheerful disposition and contagious curiosity. Bill is survived by his wife Ellen of 62 years, daughter Dr. Lorelei Wood, and 4 grandchildren: John Jacob (in graduate school at Cornell), Taylor Alexander (a junior at ASU), Garrick Clark, and Veronica Louise of Lancaster, California. Daughter-in-law Katherine Wood also of Lancaster, and three sisters, one brother, and one aunt. Bill was preceded in death by his son Travis T. Wood in 2010. Funeral services and burial will be at Mariposa Gardens Funeral Home, 400 S. Power Road in Mesa (Southwest corner of Broadway and Power Road 480-830-4422) on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 3PM with viewing at 2PM. Everyone is invited to celebrate Bill's amazing life at the services with refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project 4150 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 480-946-0663.Sign the Guest Book ateastvalleytribune.com
This obituary was originally published in the East Valley Tribune.