William Woodbury

Resided in Escanaba, MI
Died May 21, 2017

Escanaba, MI

William “Bill” Woodbury, 69, of Escanaba, was welcomed into Heaven on May 21, 2017 after his 4-month courageous fight with brain cancer.

 

Bill was born July 25, 1947 to Lewis and Claire (Houle) Woodbury Sr. in Worcester, MA.  He graduated in 1965 from David Prouty High School and enlisted into the United States Air Force.  Bill was sent to Vietnam during the war where he worked as a mechanic.  He was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Sgt.

 

Bill met the love of his life, Jeanne Kay Krause while he was stationed in New York in 1969.  Bill and Jeanne were united in marriage on April 17, 1971.  They built their first home together in Ford River. Side by side, they were a team.  They welcomed 3 children into their lives, Patti Louise, Constance Marie and Kenneth Michael.

 

Bill was a hardworking man, a perfectionist.  He’d say “If you’re going to do a job, do it right, or don’t do it at all.” “Measure twice, cut once.”  He worked in Auto Body Repair for 34 years.  Working for and owning Woodbury Collision, side by side with his beautiful wife.  After closing the body shop, Bill and Jeanne did general contracting for 10 years until he retired in 2006.  For the past 11 seasons, Jeanne and Bill would escape our frigid winters and head down to South Texas.  He loved their many friends they met in Texas and especially loved the heat.

 

When back in Michigan, Bill and Jeanne loved to spend time at the family camp.  Riding his 4-wheeler, working on whatever projects he could get his hands into made him happy.  “Working at camp was never work.”  He enjoyed feeding the deer, watching the birds and looking for animal prints.  He was truly the most content at camp.

 

Bill was so incredibly proud of and loved his children.  He would boast to anybody that would listen about Patti, Connie and Ken.  He was so happy to help them with their home repairs, remodels and really anything he could do for, or with them.

 

The twinkle in is eye were his 4 grandchildren, Courtney Walter Bauman, Breanna Johnson, Brittany Mileski and Bryan Mileski.  It never mattered what they did, time with his grandkids meant the world to him.

 

Bill was a member of the American Legion, V.F.W., D.A.V. and Cruising Classics.  He was a founding member and former Fire Chief of the Ford River Volunteer Fire Department.  He also formed the training program for firefighters at Bay College.

 

In addition to his wife of 46 years, Jeanne Kay, survivors include, children, Patti Johnson of Green Bay, WI, Connie Mileski of Grand Rapids, MI, and Ken (Katherine) Woodbury of Escanaba.  Grandchildren, Courtney (Walter) Bauman and Breanna Johnson of Green Bay, WI and Brittany and Bryan Mileski of Grand Rapids, MI. Brother, James (Sherill) Woodbury and sister Sandra (Robert) Lekstrom and mother/father in-law, Ralph and Theresa Krause of Ford River.  Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

 

His parents, Lewis and Claire Woodbury Sr, preceded Bill in death.

 

In keeping with Bill’s wishes, there will not be a formal funeral, but a “Celebration of His Life” at the Krause Family Camp in Ford River on June 24, 2017 at 4:00 PM with Pastor Mike Cummings and Rev. Irene White officiating.  Dinner and refreshments will follow.  Please bring your lawn chair and favorite beverage to drink.  Bill’s family would like to especially thank the Home Health Nurse, Ruth, O.S.F. and the Iron Mountain VA and UP Health System for all their help during his brief illness.  Memorial may be directed in his name to the Ford River Volunteer Fire Department or to the National Brain Tumor Society.

18 Tributes for “William Woodbury”

    We’ve lost a good friend and a good man .he has done so much for so many people, along with his right hand Jeanne.We will miss him.our loss heavens gain.

    Dear Jeanne and family
    Our thoughts and Prayers to you all. This loss is never easy. The memories you’ve made will help you all.
    Hugs to all
    Ann & Mike

    Wild bill I will miss you but one day we will go four wheeling in heaven. I will always think of you and the smile you had on your face every time I saw you. My prayers go out to Jeanne and the family. Love always Smitty

    Jeanne and family,
    Our deepest sympathy to your family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
    Ed and Barb Malina

    Jean and family,

    You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. So many wonderful memories of time shared with you and Bill.

    ” It is only because I loved you so much, that I feel this pain today”
    Yvette Eagle

    The Ford River Volunteer Fire Department extends its deepest condolences to Bill’s family and friends. Bill was a great asset to our community. We are forever grateful for his years of service with the Ford River Vol. Fire Department and everything he did to help get the department started and the years he served as Fire Chief of the Department. Even after stepping down from the department he continued to be a huge supporter of our department and his family and friends will be in the thoughts and prayers of all the current and past members of the Ford River Volunteer Fire Department and the Ford River First Responders!!!

    On behalf of the Ford River Volunteer Fire Department and all its current and Past members and our community…
    You will be dearly missed!!! RIP Bill!!!

    Sincerely,

    Brian Nelson
    Fire Chief – Ford River Volunteer Fire Department

    Dear Jeanne and Family:

    It’s hard to find words that express our sadness. Just know that we love you all and pray that God will give you comfort. Bill always had a smile on his face, a kind word to say, and was just such a good friend to all at Golden Grove. He was a very special man.

    Bill has and will always be a second father to me. His legacy of excellence will go on through his kids and grandkids. We have a lost an amazing man. But I will cherish all my fond memoelries of that smiling man. Love to all.

    Ken, Kathy and family,
    My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family at this very difficult time. May you all find comfort in all the wonderful memories.

    The good lord brought Bill into our lives some 10 years ago. The better we got to know him the more we understood what a beauiful person he was. We would stop by he see him and before we got seated he would have to show us this or that . Look here I did this , that’s how I did that. Once we set down the conversation would turn to family and other friends now that wonderfull gleam in his eyes would even brighten telling us about the kids . Time to discuss going somewhere for dinner Bill would ask us have you been here or there you just have to try here they have this or that never a dull monent. As Kathy has so eloquently stated “Damm were going to miss you ”
    Thank you Bill for allowing us to call you a friend. Prayers, love and hugs for you Jean and the rest of the family …….

    My condolences to Jeanne and Bill’s entire family. The obituary is beautifully written, and I’m certain a true reflection of the man and his blessed and full life. God bless!

    We will miss our great friend Bill Woodbury! He was always lending a helping hand to anyone who needed help. If you had a problem and asked Bill for his assistance his most common motto-“it’s a piece of cake!” led him to resolving the issue. Jeanne always worked side by side with Bill regardless of the task. Thanks so much Bill & Jeanne.

    To Jeanne and family- please know that each of you are in our thoughts and prayers! Jeanne, we love you dearly and wish you and your family the best. Take care of yourself and we look forward to future time together.

    Jeanne and Family. There are not words that can express my feelings at a time like this. I was given the privilege to know Bill and Jean but a short 8years. I will never forget Bill. To sum up my feelings the Lord needed some craftsmanship done on his heavenly temple up above and called Bill home. I will see him on the other side!

    Sorry to hear about Bill. I graduated from DPHS with him and our families were close growing up in Spencer. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.

    Jeanne,

    I was just browsing the obits in the Daily Press and saw the one for Bill. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. I’m sure this is such a difficult time for you. Please know that my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

    Patti (Brayak) Basten

    Tony & I would like to extend our condolences & sympathy for the loss of a friend.
    Know that you are in our thoughts & prayers.

    Love to you & your family
    Tony & Mary

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