William Clyde Woods

William Clyde “W.C.” Woods, age 89, a long-time resident of Columbia, TN passed away in the home of his daughter, surrounded by his family in the late hours of Tuesday evening March 4, 2014.

Clyde, as he was well known, was born on November 27, 1924, in Iron City, Lawrence County, Tennessee to the late Willie Lewis and Myra Willie “Tennessee” Woods. Clyde served his country honorably in World War II as a gunners mate in the United States Navy. After the Navy, Clyde worked as a conductor for L&N/CSX railroad for 43 years. He was a member of the Al Menah Shriners. In his younger years, Clyde loved fishing, hunting or pretty much anything that kept him moving. Most of all Clyde loved his family, especially his grandchildren. It brought him great joy seeing his family together. Clyde was a long-time member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Columbia.

Clyde is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Anne Woods of Columbia; one daughter: Susan W. (Randy) Thurman of Columbia; one son: Stephen H. (Tiffany) Woods of Culleoka; eleven grandchildren: Stephanie Lauren “Sugarfoot” Thurman, Benjamin Scott “Shadow” Thurman, William Travis Woods, Bayleigh Michelle Woods, Catherine Woods Estes, Sarah Marie Woods, Paul Christopher Woods, Christopher Clay Woods and Timothy Ross Woods; three step-grandchildren: Dalton Woodard, Peyton Woodard and Alexus Woodard. Clyde is also survived by his 19 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by two sons: George “Butch” Woods and Timothy Clyde Woods; one granddaughter: Shannon Woods; one grandson: Tyler Woods and three siblings: Nellie Woodard, Edna Ray and Gentry Woods.

Services for Clyde will be held Friday March 7, 2014 beginning at 12 noon at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia. Mark Proctor will officiate. Wilson Henderson will also speak and is in charge of special music. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 6th from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers for Clyde will be Randy Thurman, Ben Thurman, Travis Woods, Roger Peters, Brian Wood, Jimmy Elliott, Jimmy Thigpen, and Jerry Fly. Honorary Pallbearers are the employees past and present of CSX Railroad, his caregivers: Christy Henson, Mindy Buttrey, Jennifer Waters, Helena Morais, Ami Milligan and Carla Potter. The family has a special thanks to Middle Tennessee Home Healthcare especially Laura Jett and Kim Smyser. Also to Hospice Compassus and Maury Regional Medical Center.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Highland Park Baptist Church Building Fund.