James B. Woody

James "JB" B. Woody
Bethalto - Dateline: Bethalto, Illinois
James B. "JB" Woody died peacefully on August 30, 2025, going home to be with the Lord at the age of 95 at Cedarhurst of Bethalto.
JB, as he was known, was born on November 10, 1929, in Commerce, OK to Robert Harden Woody and Hazel Allman Woody. Much of his youth was spent in Cookville, MO which is now part of the Fort Leonard Wood Army Base near Waynesville, MO. He graduated from Waynesville High School in 1948. He met the love of his life, Doris Jean Chalfant, and they wed in March 1951 and celebrated 71 years of marriage.
Immediately he began his active military service in the US Army during the Korean War era. Following his time in active service he moved his small family to the Riverbend area after securing employment with Shell Oil Company where he worked for over 10 years. Shell asked him to consider going to Shurtleff College to study engineering while he was working and he did that for a while. He also joined the US Army reserves during this timeframe. During frequent Shell layoffs he became more involved with the carpentry trade following the path of his uncle and father. He finally decided that building was his calling and began a career in the home construction business for over 30 years. He and Doris formed a successful business, Woody Construction, and built over 150 homes in the Riverbend area including homes for his three children. He was well known for his quality workmanship and honesty.
Before and after retirement he was active at the First Baptist Church of Bethalto as a trustee and coordinator of projects with the Partnership Missions along with his former business partner Marion Witt. They served FBC in projects, various other churches thru out the country in construction, remodeling, disaster recovery after Katrina, Indian reservation building, wheelchair ramps and general construction help. He and the crew also remodeled Riverbend Family Ministries. He spent untold hours helping people who simply needed help with a project.
His other lifetime hobby was fishing, which he continued to do even in his later years while living at Cedarhurst. And one of his favorite days in his life was participating in the Illinois Honor Flight on June 20, 2017.
JB's surviving family includes a sister, Mary Sue Murphy; three children, Kathy Clark (Don), Mike (Denyse) and Alan (Carolyn); grandchildren include Amy (Frank), Kelli (Fidel), Casey (Chris), Jonathan, Brent (Ashley), Jason (Meredith), Aaron (Jodi), and Derek (Nicole); great-grandchildren include Connor, Mason, Kinley, James, David, Evan, Mandi, Luke, and Sabrina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Doris, and his brothers, William, Don and Harold.
Primarily he should be remembered as loving and serving God, his family, his church and anyone in need.
Visitation will be Friday, September 5, 2025, from 9 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Former Pastor Ron Woods will officiate, and Pastors Josh Crisp, Tim Drury and Larry Rhodes will assist. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Bethalto. Military honors will be conducted by Alton VFW Post #1308.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of Bethalto and Riverbend Family Ministries.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.