William Newton Wood, 99, of Front Royal, Virginia was called home to reunite with his wife of 62 years, June Lee Wood, on February 20, 2023. He passed away at Lynn Care Center of Front Royal.
Bill was the son of the late Raymond Douglas Wood and Viola Beylor Wood of Rileyville, Virginia. He was also preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Bill is survived by three sons, Billy (Diane), Dana (Cathy), and Danny (Stacey); six grandchildren, Stephanie (Shawn) Lane, Ryan (Paul) Bavely, Cristan (Dan) Dube, Taylor (Emily) Wood, Callie (Dustin) Wood-Hernandez, Kendyl (Alex) Settle, and Sarah Wood; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; and two sisters, Marguerite (Joe) Sedwick and Corann (George) Updike.
Bill graduated from Luray High School in 1940 and went to work at the American Viscose Corp. He joined the United States Army during WWII. After training, he was sent to Germany as a member of Patton’s 3rd Army after the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in Kassel, Germany on April 3, 1945, and spent 51 weeks in several VA hospitals. After being discharged, he returned to the American Viscose Corp. (FMC, Avtex) where he worked his entire career until he retired in 1986.
Bill joined the Masonic Unity Lodge #146 and was a member for 66 years. He served as instructor of work and mentored hundreds of Masons during his career. He served as Worshipful Master of Unity Lodge #146 in Front Royal in 1963. He received a Gold Award from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America in 2016. He further personified the Masonic Creed of making a good man better. In December 2021, he received a Unity Lodge Award that was created in his honor. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite, Washington Lodge #78, and the Royal Arch Chapter #45.
Bill was a proud member of the Marlow Heights Baptist Church and was particularly fond of their minister, the Rev. Jim Bunce as well as his wife Suzy, and many of the church members including, Bonnie Sealock and Carol Kenney.
Family night will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Maddox Funeral Home 105 W Main St., Front Royal, Virginia from 6-8 P.M. The funeral will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 2 P.M. at Marlow Heights Baptist Church, 517 Braxton Road. Front Royal, Virginia. The internment will follow at Prospect Hill Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Lynn Care Center and Gentiva Hospice for their excellent care and assistance during his stay there.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the charity or organization of your choice.
Bill, another good man from our greatest generation has passed. I wish I had known about his service in growing up. Sorry I can’t attend the service but will have your dad, you and your family in my prayers this weekend. God Bless
Danny- our family will be thinking of yours.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time.
Sending our deepest condolences.
Thoughts and prayers for Bill’s family. My husband was a dear friend in the Lodge with Bill.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. Your dad was a wonderful person and he will be missed. He was an exemplary role model to everyone who knew him and had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world when you talked to him. What a gift.
We were unable to attend the service due to health issues, but know that you all will be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you!