WILLIAM WOOLDRIDGE

good by old friend

Although I did not meet this wonderful man, I thank him for serving this country well. It is an honer to know that someone really cared about this country. I thank those who helped support him and his family. To the family I share my deepest sorrows for them, but keep strong your father is still in our deepest memorise.

Sorrow and love too your family

Granddaughter of JR Wooldridge Brownwood,Tx

My deepest of sympathies to the family...

Dear Sgt. Major,
I have you and your family in my prayers. It was a great honor to have known you. I have often thought about the days in Augsburg, Germany and meeting you in Vietnam. I only wish that I h had the honor of meeting you again. My sympathy goes out to your family. God Bless you
Sgt. Major. Thank you for what have done for our great nation.

Lee Dardis

Lee Dardis

His dedication to the NCO Corps will be never be forgotten. A true enlisted Trooper.

Sgt. Major Wooldridge's children - from the children of Sgt. Major Basil Linville.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of your father. He was a wonderful man & all of us have many happy & wonderful memories of times together. May God Bless all of you in this time of sorrow.

BJ, Sandy, Bruce & Kathy

Major Floyd A. Brownfield

He was a great man and someone that I will always look up to. His dedication to his family and his country was more than anyone can ever repay. It was a great honor knowing him and he will be in my thoughts for years to come. Our sincerest condolences from the Rowland Family.

It was a privilege and honor to have met this great American Warrior.

God bless your family in your time of sorrow.

Dear Patty, we are very sorry for your loss. Bill was a good friend and neighbor and we will miss him. It was a great pleasure to know him and we wish you all the best. Joe and Shawna Hirsch.

The first Sergeant Major of The Army ... a true legend. There are a million stories told about this soldier ... if you were in his presence for just a few minutes and were fortunate enough to talk to him, you walked away with a story about him that you would tell at every opportunity for the rest of your life. I first met him in 1980 at a 6th Army Sergeant's Major Conference. I saw him off and on in the following years. He, together with two other old soldiers, provided a video tape at my retirement dinner in 1993. I played golf with him several times after my retirement ... he was in his mid or late 70s, I was in my mid 50s ... he played to his age, my score was double my age. The problem was the “19th hole” ... he captivated you with stories of his military career to the point that when he finally left the rest of us had to call a cab as we were to drunk to walk. He would have been 90 years old this year. For 72 years, during his Army career and every day of his life after his retirement, he actively pursued doing all he could for the NCO Corps and “his” soldiers. I'll miss him but I won't morn him. Every time I pour a beer I'll think of him with a smile and remember another one of “those stories.”

CSM John W. Gilis
US Army, Retired

Patty,
Steve and I are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.

WO was loved by his family and an honor to his country. He will be long remembered and missed.

Patty - he loved you very much and your love and care for him was evident.

I know is now sharing those wonderful stories - perhaps he and Roger are again laughing about stealing those skinny dipping girls clothes as boys - great fun until Mama (Aunt Vera) caught them.

Rest in piece. Bill and Jerri Ann Wooldridge Simpson

It was both an honor and pleasure to have meet and cared for such a heroic man, husband, and soldier. May you rest in peace.....thoughts and prayers for the family.

SMA Wooldridge... Rest In Peace and God be with you and your family. From one Old Soldier To another.

SMA Woolridge......rest in peace and may God be with you. Thank you for your service and your outstanding leadership.
John Estorga
1SG, US Army (ret)

The Army has lost one of it's great leaders. SMA Wooldridge may you rest in peace and my deepest sympathy to the Wooldridge family.

G.W. Burnside II, SGM, US Army (Ret)

America has lost a hero. SMA Wooldridge's accomplishments in service to this great nation include some of the highest honors that this country can bestow on her citizens. But for me and my children, he was Bill. He and Patty lived across the street from my mom. My son didn't even know about his military career. To my children, Bill was “the man with the ice cream.” He would go to the store just to make sure he had the right flavors and the right kinds on those hot El Paso summer days, and he took genuine pleasure in watching the children play in his yard. A lot of people knew Bill Wooldridge as a Great American. We knew him as a Great Man.

Uncle Bill, I'm so proud that you were my great uncle..there are too many words to describe the kind of man you were! God bless you!

I am honored to have known Bill Wooldridge. He was a joy to visit with and I cherish the memories of those times.

Betty Woodfill (BJ Jordan)

We've lost a real Soldier - our hearts go out to his family.

Harvey and Joan Reed
CSM, USA, Retired

On behalf of the Retention Directorate, we extend our deepest condolences to SMA Wooldridge's family! SMA Wooldridge paved the way. He executed his job with such care and ease; no fanfare and no personal agenda; transparent, respectful and true caring. A leadership that everyone should emulate.

RIP

Patti,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Iwill always remember the good times we shared when you and the SMA opened up your hearts and home to me. I know we will meet again on the high ground

Thanks for your loyal and dedicated service in the defense of this great nation and our freedom. CSM (Ret) Gray, Sierra Vista, AZ, Class 26, USASMA

Thank you for all that you did for our Army and our Soldiers.
CSM Ankrum

Rest in peace, Dad.

We knew him as a fine friend, a dear man, and a kind neighbor. He is greatly missed. Rest in Peace, Bill.
Friends and Neighbors, Bob and Elinor Williamson

He set the standard, created the legacy and led our soldiers. I began in 1965. He was a hero to all of us.

The Creator was looking for a Leader, and called SMA Wooldridge home to lead. My heartfelt sympathies to the Wooldridge family during this time

Our Thoughts and prayers go out to SMA Wooldridge family and friends,, What a fine leader and example he was!!! Until we meet again...
CSM (ret) and Mrs, Jeffery L Kirk

I CSM (Ret) Ervin Page extend my condolences to the Wooldridge family and all Soldiers that SMA Wooldridge has served with. “…not afraid to speak up among the brass…and say it,” takes a seasoned individual. Such was SMA Wooldridge. Thanks for charting the path for me and many others still to come. SMA Wooldridge, rest in peace and thank you for your service and God Bless your family.

Ervin Page
CSM (Ret)
USA

I am CSM Martin Colbert, from the Canadian Forces, based in Valcartier, Quebec. I graduated from USASMA Class 59 and had the honor to serve the Academy as faculty advisor for Class 60. I would like to extend my condolences to the Wooldridge family and all Soldiers that SMA Wooldridge has served with. He came once to visit one of our briefings in the east auditorium during Class 59. It was an honor to see that great Soldier. I have read the obituary text a few minutes ago and that inspire me to carry on my duty as CSM. I am about to get ready for a deployment in Afghanistan as the Task Force CSM and SMA Wooldridge tremendous career will guide me to accomplish my duty.
SMA Wooldridge, rest in peace and thank you for your service.

CWO M Colbert
Regimental Sergeant Major
3ième Bataillon Royal 22ième Régiment

May SMA Wooldridge rest in peace and may his family and friends find comfort in his legacy.

Ronald W. Rodriguez, SGM, US Army (Retired)

I am sad that I wasn't there.

SMA Woolridge - Thank you for serving and setting the standard for not only NCO's to follow, but for the Officers to admire. You are the backbone of the US Army and always will be. When I pop smoke, I look forward to meeting you at the LZ on the other side Top! God Speed.

My Condolences to the Wooldridge family and friends.

Had the Honor to meet him while at the First Sergeants course. RIP

SMA Wooldridge, is a true soldier to the soldiers of today. Those who have never met this man, have miss a GREAT PERSON and GREAT SOLDIER. SMA thank you for the time we meet. May GOD blees your family and SMA Wooldridge we will see you @ the LD.

We were so honored to meet and film SM Wooldridge's touching story about the Red Cross Girls, specifically the future love of his life, in Vietnam. Patti, our thoughts are with you and our hearts are heavy with the loss of W.O.W., a true American hero.

The Army and the NCO Corp is a better place because of SMA William O. Wooldridge. El Paso and Fort Bliss were blessed to have him... His work is done here and the good Lord has other works for him to do. Rest in peace my friend, mentor and fellow soldier. Condolences to the entire Wooldridge family and friends.

Our condolences from Perri and Arryn Kempner, and I on the passing of Bill. My heartfelt prayers go out to the entire family. We loved being his neighbor and the influence he had on my girls. WE love you.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

God Bless a true American Hero! The United States Army is a better Army because of SMA(s) like him. May your famliy find some comfort knowing he lived an honarable and corageous life. God Bless!