Chesterton Tribune

 

 

William R. Wood service Saturday

Back To Front Page

William Ronald Wood passed away at the age of 83 from a long battle with Parkinson Disease.

He was born in Streeter, IL, son of Alex and Mildred Marshall Wood. Beloved husband of Barbara Dudgeon for 59 years. Loving father of Jeff (Linda) Wood of Hudson Ohio, William (Avril) Wood of Yorba Linda CA, David Wood of Chesterton, IN and Brian (Lisa) Wood of Indianapolis IN. Grandfather to Chris (Carin) Wood, Sarah (Dan) Strittmater, David Wood, Heather Wood, Megan Wood and Alexandra Wood. Four great-grandchildren Olivia, Ben, Farah and Laine.

Bill moved to England before the age of one where Bill’s father played professional soccer. His father played in the First World Cup. At the age of eight the family moved back to the states and relocated in Gary, IN, where Bill attended grade school and in 1948 graduated from Emerson High School. He later graduated from Valparaiso University in 1954 where he played varsity baseball. In 1955 married his wife of 59 years, Barbara Dudgeon Wood, who survives in Chesterton. Bill began and ended his 38 year career at US Steel where he retired as Superintendent of the 46th rolling mill. While at US Steel, Bill was very active in the US Steel Carolers.

In 1960 Bill moved his family to Portage, IN where he became very active in the community where he was the first Portage Park board President and started the youth soccer league. He received the 1975 JC Boss of the Year Award and in 1995 Barbershop of the year. In 1960 he was instrumental in forming the committee and establishing the Nativity Catholic Church where he sang in the Choir for over 20 years. Bill was an avid sports fan, coached many of his children’s youth sports teams, was a well-respected racquetball player and for many years refereed both college and high school basketball and football.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 642 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton, with Father James Meade officiating. There will be a visitation prior at the church in the Narthex from 9 a.m. until time of service. Cremation will follow. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 5, 2014 from 4 until 8 p.m. at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton, IN, with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, 2401 Valley Dr., Valparaiso, IN, 46383, would be appreciated. To send an online condolence, please visit White-Love Funeral Home www.whitelovefuneralhome.com

 

 

Posted 9/3/2014

 
 

 

 

 

Â