William Wood

William (Bill) Anderson Wood, family man, beloved grandfather, and great-grandfather, was born to eternal life on November 18, 2015. Bill touched the lives of all he knew with humor, including his predeceased parents, Aden and Ruth (Barnett) Wood, and six siblings, David, Delores (Harper), Bob, Richard, Cheryl (Reynolds), and Carol (Rhoden). He was raised in a small Midwestern town. According to local legend, he was sent out with a rifle and told to bring home dinner. Chicken and dumplings was his favorite meal, often served with a squirrel substitute. Bill loved playing horseshoes, coaching boys basketball, and card games along with his wife of 51 years, Joyce (Zielinski) Wood, and their four children, Rick, Pam (Schaefer), Mike, and Matt. His memory fondly lives on in his nine grandchildren and a great-grandson. Weekend mornings at their home in St. John, IN began with theme-shaped pancakes. There was not a letter in the alphabet that 'Papa' couldn't handle. He was as jovial as he was stern, keeping them all in check with the rule-enforcing, ever-knowing, imaginary "George." Bill was born on July 18, 1939 in Ogden, IL, where he spent his youth. He proudly served in the United States Navy following high school. During his career, he was a route salesman for Nedlog Distributors, Royal Crown Cola, and Jays Potato Chips in Chicago. After moving to St. John, Indiana, he became an independent business owner of Hoosier Snacks until his retirement in 2002 when he and Joyce moved to Gold Canyon, AZ. At the time of his passing, he was in Lawlis Hospice Center in Mequon, WI, surrounded by his wife and children. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please donate to the American Diabetes Association.