Louis Reed Woodruff

Funeral services for Louis Reed Woodruff, 84, of Marshall will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at the Colonial Chapel of Sullivan Funeral Home with D.W. McLendon and Art Ostrander officiating. Interment will follow in Pope City Cemetery in Woodlawn. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at Sullivan Funeral Home. Mr. Woodruff went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in Marshall. Louis was born in Wolfe City, Texas, to J.E. Woodruff and Eula Ethel Bellamy Woodruff on June 19, 1925. Louis was drafted out of Marshall High School Sept. 11, 1943, to serve with the United States Army. He served under General Mark Clark in the 91st Division of the Fifth Army as a Gun Crewman, 347th Field Artillery, Forward Observer Radio Operator, operated "610" voice radio sending and receiving messages to battery from forward observer; adjusted and directed cannon fire on enemy installations; did 1st Echelon maintenance; was #1 gunner with 105 mm Howitzer battery. He served in three major battles, Rome-Arno, Northern Appennines and Po Valley. He was wounded in action March 21, 1945, in the European Theater. He received the European-African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Upon returning from the War, he married Rilla Mae Shepard on July 1, 1950, in Marshall, celebrating 59 years of marriage before his death. He was a member of Eastern Hills Church of Christ, Marshall. He had formerly been employed at Texas and Pacific Railroad, City Laundry, both in Marshall and Fabsteel in Waskom. He is survived by his wife, Rilla and his family: Louis Wayne, Debbie, Michael, Heidi, Lexie and Jake Woodruff; J'Cee, Jeff, Addi and Cash Carothers; Scott, Tara and Emma Grace Woodruff; Randall Preston (Randy a/k/a Chop), Andy and Johnny Woodruff; Teresa, Jay, Jason, Jeff and Mackenzie McGuire; Rhonda and Tommy Morris; Holly, Keith and Kylie Cotton; Christopher Morris and fiance' Alyssa York. His family and friends will always remember him as "Papa Louie." In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to the Alzheimer's Association, 911 W. Loop 281, Suite 211-31, Longview, TX. 75604; or Spirit Horse Therapeutic Center, 1960 Post Oak Dr., Corinth, TX 76210; or Spina Bifida Association of North Texas, 705 West Avenue B, Suite 409, Garland, TX 75040; or to a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the Doctors and Medical Staff at Good Shepherd Medical Center, Marshall Manor Nursing Home, Angels Care Home Health of Marshall, Hospice of East Texas, the Ladies of Respite, and the Staff of Sullivan Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be made at www.sullivan-funeralhome.com. Sullivan Funeral Home