William Leonard Wood's Obituary
WOOD, WILLIAM L., passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012. He was born on June 20th, 1920 in Marion, Indiana, the son of Charles Frederick and Merle Bonham Wood. A true member of the Greatest Generation, Bill grew up in Jeanette, Pennsylvania and was a graduate of Shady Side Academy. He came to Miami on a football scholarship to play for the University of Miami Hurricanes. It was there, at the "Cardboard College" that he met the love of his life, Sue Ellyn Allen, who passed away in 2009. Bill was a member of SAE Fraternity and remained a steadfast Hurricane Fan until his passing. Following graduation, Bill joined the Navy entering Mid- Shipman's School and received his officers training at Columbia University in New York City where Bill and Sue were married on March 31st, 1943. He attained the rank of Lt. J.G. and served on the USS Rodman, DD 456, a Destroyer/Minesweeper and saw action in the Atlantic where his ship participated in the escort of President Roosevelt to the Teheran Conference and thereafter supporting the Normandy Invasion providing gunfire support off Utah Beach, landing reinforcements on Omaha Beach and contributing in the bombardment of Cherbourg. Following the invasion, the Rodman was repositioned to the Pacific theater where the ship encountered its heaviest action in several fierce battles, including the assault of Okinawa. After suffering severe damage from three (3) kamikaze attacks, the ship obtained temporary repairs in Japan and then returned to Charleston Navy Yard for permanent repairs. Just prior to its return to service, WW II ended and Bill returned to Miami to live with Sue's family. While looking for work at the University, he was convinced to return to school under the GI Bill, coming home that night to tell Sue "I'm going to become a Lawyer". He graduated from UM Law School in 1949 and began his career as a Real Estate Attorney with Commonwealth Land Title, before joining Copeland Therrel Baisden & Peterson (n/k/a Therrel Baisden) as a Partner where he practiced until his retirement in 1985. Bill resided in Coral Gables for the past 56 years where he and Sue raised their four children and were active members of the former First United Presbyterian Church of Coral Gables. Bill is survived by his children, Sue Ellyn Fahs (Phil), Marilyn Butler (Jim), William B. Wood and Richard Wood (Elise), his loving sister-in-law, Dorothy A. Harder, grandchildren Kristen DiFrancesco (Zack), Christopher Butler (Katie), Kara Clevenger (Shane), Brian Butler, Lindley Butler, Sara Wood, Alyssa Wood, Huntley Wood, Helen Wood and eight great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his brothers, John and Bud Wood and sister Mary Louise Matthews. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather and as someone that truly enjoyed life and the people that surrounded him. He will be dearly missed by his entire family and all who knew him. A memorial service will be held by family and close friends at Plymouth Congregational Church on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m., 3400 Devon Road, Miami, FL 33133. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in Bill's memory to the University of Miami Ring Theater or the charity of your choice .
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