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Woodrow Windham Obituary
June 21, 1940 - April 15, 2024
West Columbia, South Carolina - On the afternoon of April 15th, 2024, Woody Windham passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at the age of 83 years old. Woody was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on the Pearl Harbor base on June 21, 1940. He was the first son, second child, of Woodrow Windham and Sarah Windham. Woody had a love for music at a very early age, his Mom even caught him talking into a pencil one time and told him if he loved it so much to go get a job as a DJ. The rest is history! Woody started his radio career at WDAR in Darlington County and began his over 60 year career. He worked at WCOS-AM & FM, WNOK, WZLD, WTCB-106, WOMG, the Breeze Radio Network and iWoody Radio. He raised money for various charities including: The Heart Association, Woody's War on Cancer, Juvenile Diabetes, Colon Cancer Awareness, and many local charities. He never turned down a chance to go eat lunch at school with a kid that called into his show. He voiced a generation of music for many people, and was well loved in the community. His greatest love was his wife and family.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Francis Windham Kohler, and both parents, Woodrow and Sarah Windham. Survived by three brothers, James Windham, Leon Windham and Paul Windham, and his wife Jean Windham, daughters Wendy Windham, Jennifer Windham, MacKenzie Windham, granddaughters Sharon Austin, Taylor Winn and Rowan Windham, and great grand daughters Melinda and Cheyenne Hinnant, as well as many nephews and neices.
Funeral services will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, 2003 Charleston Highway, Cayce, SC 29033 on Sunday, May 5th, 2024 at 2pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at The Woody on Main, 1649 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201 at 4pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations to his many charities, if you want to send flowers please send to 1501 12th Street, Cayce, SC 29033.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Woodrow Windham
Robert Avant and Phyllis Askins Avant
December 6, 2024
I liked the characters.
R D Redneck, just plain Clara,
Wild man, Beech Billy,....
From Robert Avant former
Service Manager Electrolux.
Worked on the families vacuum cleaner. Phyllis worked with Woodys wife
Years ago a hospital.
I remember the glass radio
Station on two notch and beltline.
Peter & Kenton
August 7, 2024
Kenton and I very much regret hearing of Woody's passing. Our condolences to his family and all of us fans.
We were Carolina students when he was on the radio with the goodies. In a "burp" contest of about 1969, Kenton and I won a BeeGee's Album for guessing when the last burb was broadcast! Love to all. Peter and Kenton
Zach
June 3, 2024
Rest in peace woody we love you
Donna Sue Jones
May 5, 2024
He was one of the most remarkable humans on the planet!! We will never forget him and all that he did to make this world a better place for all to enjoy!!
Kelley Lannigan
May 5, 2024
I will never forget his car rolling up in the parking lot of Hanberry Jr. High School in Blythewood when I was a ninth-grader. Another student Cathy, had called the station and asked if he'd come eat lunch with her in the cafeteria. And he did! She was awestruck by his presence and the experience. And now decades later, I fully, fully appreciate what a cool thing that was for him to do.
Tom Guerard
May 5, 2024
1963, while driving to Keenan JHS, Woody played a song that changed my life. I turned the car around and headed to Cornell Arms WNOK(?) radio station. He was my first celebrity ever meeting. I asked him who that song was by I was so taken by. He pointed to 'Introducing the Beatles' and music obsession
was born.
I really remember he being the only DJ I ever listened to.
He seemed to always treat people as his friends and I certainly believed I was one
He was a close friend to Eddie Zommerfield whom I was close as well. So I followed them both exclusively throughout their careers.
Of course , I will always have him in my heart.
Signing off Woody- you were such a good friend
Aleeta Dolge and Angel Santiago
May 2, 2024
Our love to you Woody you were the best!!!
Mark Regan
April 29, 2024
I first met Woody when I was a student at St Peter's Elementary School. After school I would often walk to the Cornell Arms building where Woody worked at WCOS as their afternoon DJ hosting his Top 60 in Dixie show. Woody let me sit behind him while he was on the air, cue records, insert the commercial "carts" and press the start button when it was time He'd let me answer the phone for him when he was busy, and even dial the transmitter down to low power at sundown. I still remember like it was yesterday, when a beautiful nursing student named Jean came into the WCOS studio and kissed Woody on her way to Baptist Hospital.
In high school at Cardinal Newman, I would read announcements over the PA system in the mornings, represent the school to area broadcast stations, and Woody introduced me to Bob Fulton, who allowed me to "spot" for him at his right hand while announcing football games. I would often invite Woody to MC sock hops at CN, and he would volunteer his time to do so. He even showed up at a class reunion to reminisce old times a few years ago.
Woody inspired me to pass the FCC exams in Atlanta and Norfolk for the Third Class Commercial and Amateur Radio licenses and at USC I majored in the School of Journalism's Broadcast Sequence, and hosted a History Of Rock and Roll on WUSC AM, and a middle of the night music to do your homework by EZ Listening instrumentals by Montavani, et al.
I attended his birthday party several years ago and met his wife, Jean, for the second time! She is still beautiful . The turnout by his fans and friends was tremendous (and heartwarming.)
Afterwards, of course, Woody let me sit in for one of his iWoody Radio shows. In the 64 years I've known Woody, he never failed to play a song requested by his fans! He would play his favorites and introduce his fans to new music only when there were no pending requests. He was truly fan centered.
When station owners hired Woody, he came with his fan base and advertisers. I remember him hosting live events from the Taylor Street Pharmacy, Doug Broome's on Main Street, and at fundraisers throughout the area.
I won't be able to afford the trip for his memorial services, but my heart and soul will be there with his entire family, including his radio family. My prayers will always be with each of you, sharing your tears, as well as your happy memories of Woody.
Olga Horowitz Smyth
April 27, 2024
I grew up listening to Woody with the Goodies and going to Hopperoonies at the fairgrounds....this man shaped so many of us as he loved his music and his young audience. We have aged with him and will never forget his love for music and us! Play on!
Andy
April 24, 2024
Woody was a trip, now he has made the ultimate trip! Keep on rocking!!!
RIP my friend,
Andy
Ford Wrigley
April 24, 2024
Woody was a dear friend for 50 years. He had a heart as big as the Coastal Carolina sky.
He ruled....well done Woody, you will be deeply missed by all who knew you.
May flights of angles sing you to your rest !!
Ford & Kathy Wrigley
Forest Acres
Carla L Harman
April 22, 2024
I met Woody when he was at WCOS. At that time, he and Bob Fulton were both there. There was the Cornell Arms building. Woody had a show on Saturday mornings at one point. Lynn Sims from Belk's had a group of young teen girls who would go on the show and choose songs from the new records that were sent to the station. My sister, Jan, was one of them. She had a ball. And, there was the top of Doug Broome's on North Main St.. Great times!!! Woody was a wonderful man and DJ.
Dona Smith
April 22, 2024
Thanks for the memories! RIP!
Judy Sturgis
April 22, 2024
Over the years I heard him on radio. When I moved to Columbia I found him again playing songs . WhTat a great fellow he was. I will always miss him.
Bonita Wellington
April 22, 2024
In deepest sympathy.
Bonita Wellington
American Heart Association
April 22, 2024
May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.
WENDY J WINDHAM
April 22, 2024
My wonderful father will not be forgotten,and he will be deeply missed. He was and is the greatest DJ ever
Candace
April 22, 2024
Such great memories of listening to Woody growing up. Such a legend who was loved by many and who will be missed greatly.
Les Clark
April 22, 2024
Will always remember Woody as the sound track of my youth. Was fortunate to meet and know him. He always took time to speak to his fans with a smile and a kind word. He will be missed.
Jim Boineau
April 22, 2024
It was a pleasure to be in Woodys presents, what myself and countless other DJs learned from woody can not be measured.
My most favorite memories is when he did his evening show a top of Doug Brooms Drive In.
Rest in peace you will be truly missed.
Judy Hess
April 21, 2024
-I am grateful to have met Woody. I remember being at a function where he was DJ'ing, and I was a bit like a fish out of water. Beach music wasn't my thing, and I had no idea how to shag.
Woody must have seen my predicament, and he came down and in a warm, gentlemanly way, he taught me to shag right there on the dance floor in one song!
He was so good at it that I took right to it, and I was able to have fun that evening dancing to the tunes.
I've never forgotten after all these years that he took the time to show me the steps.
He was a kind person, and he really gave and gave to our community.
Rest in peace, dear Woody. And, may God comfort your family until you are all reunited
Herb KC Carson
April 21, 2024
At first we were competitors, then collegaues and then friends. Woody was one of a kind and will be missed. My sincere condolences to his wife Jean, his daughters, brothers, grandkids and his many friends.
Judge John Land Johnson, West Columbia , Friend
April 21, 2024
we left Charleston together about 1962 to start a new life in Columbia area, he went to radio and I went
George Roof
April 21, 2024
Not sure about earlier years, but for me, this sad news is when the music died. Woodie brought rock &roll to mid-Carolina and became an icon to us Baby Boomers. He was our 1964 Lexington High School graduation speaker and when I visited hone, I always asked if Woodie was still on the radio. Thank you for the memories. Godspeed.
Arleen Hilley O´Neal
April 21, 2024
I use to listening to Woody on the Great 98 WCOS. Also would go see him in the booth at Doug Broome Drive In when he would DJ on Friday and Saturday night. My condolences goes out to the family. May he Rest In Peace. The party can start now that one of the greatest DJ has received his wings. You will be missed by many people.
WAYNE CAMPBELL
April 21, 2024
WE LIVED IN THE BEST OF TIMES, WOODY WAS SPECIAL, ONE OF A KIND.
Bill Byrd
April 21, 2024
Sad, Sad, Woody gone, along with so many wonderful memories. We grew up with Woody, playing the music we loved: Rock. When people didn't like, or support it. His rock concerts, where local bands played, were famous. Just another part of our lives slipping away. If crying helped, we'd all be crying to get Woody back. Gone, but never forgotten.
Donna Nunamaker
April 21, 2024
Heartfelt Condolences to the entire family. Woody was instrumental in making my business successful back in the late 80´s and 90´s... he did the best advertisements for my shop! He made a point to come visit so he could put a personal touch to them. When he and Leo moved to the Breeze in Charleston I was sad but I will forever be grateful for what he and Leo did for my shop for at least 10 years! May he rest in peace! Donna "Wright" Nunamaker "THE WRIGHT TOUCH "
Linda Amick
April 21, 2024
I never met Woody in person, but was a big fan, listening to the greatest era in music on whatever station Woody was on at the time, sometimes with Leo, as well. Around the time Woody retired, music was never the same and stations quit airing for free, bringing the beginning of paid music. You were loved, Woody and will be forever remembered by many of your fans. RIP.
Peggy Hope
April 19, 2024
Wow! So sorry to read this tonight. I listened to Woody and Leo for 20 years while living in Columbia. He was a legend for sure! Condolences to his family and all his faithful listeners over the years. Go in peace, Woody.....
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