Guy Forrest Woodlief Jr.

Guy Forrest Woodlief, Jr. passed away on August 6, 2025.

Raised in Henderson, NC, Guy had 3 brothers (Ray, Robert and John) and 2 sisters (Janet and Miriam). Despite not having many material resources, through scholarship and summer work, he was able to graduate with highest honors from Duke University, added a Masters Degree in Mathematics from Harvard University and an MBA from New York University. In the end, Guy lived the American Dream, starting with very little but able to have a successful business career.

After Harvard, Guy was hired by Mitre Corporation and went to work in Colorado and at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. In 1966 he was hired by IBM and relocated to Armonk, NY where he spent the next 33 years working for IBM and raising his family with his wife of 54 years Barbara Kelly Woodlief, who also grew up in Henderson, NC.

Education was always a priority for Guy and Barbara in raising their two sons, Guy Wesley and Scott Thomas. It remained one of his passions throughout his life as his favorite pastime was reading, including significant philosophy writings, business books and magazines, and graduate level physics textbooks. After Scott's unexpected passing in 2000, Guy pledged that all three of Scott's young children would have access to a college education should they want one. He was very proud that all three of his grandkids graduated from universities.

Guy took part in his sons' lives as a Boy Scout leader (he himself was an Eagle Scout), baseball coach, mentor and homework resource. During Little League season, he would come home early several times a week to take his sons out to the ballfield to throw batting practice.

Particularly after moving to Charlotte, NC in 1999, Guy expanded his singing. He joined the choir at Weddington Methodist Church in Weddington, NC and also sang with the Melody Makers at Matthews United Methodist Church in Matthews, NC.

His wife Barbara once remarked that he seemed to focus on a new interest in 5-year increments (not planned that way, just happened). So, for 5 years he jogged 6 miles every day at lunch. Then he played tennis for about 5 years (rising to the second ranked player at the local club). Then he gardened for about 5 years (the garden was amazing). Along the way, he focused on reading deep philosophy for about 5 years. He was always busy fixing things around the house. He repainted the exterior of his Armonk, NY house at least twice on his own, built his own heavy-duty work tables and repaired everything from chairs to lawnmowers to small electrics.

Guy was predeceased by his father Guy Forrest Woodlief, Sr., mother Mabel Godshall Woodlief and all his brothers and sisters. He was also predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Barbara and his son Scott. Guy is survived by his son Guy Wesley, his grandson Christopher, granddaughters Jaclyn and Nicole and his daughter-in-law Joyce (Scott).

A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Lawn East Cemetery.

Heritage Funeral Home - Weddington Chapel is honored to be assisting the Woodlief family