William R. Wood

Memorial services celebrating the life of William Ray Wood, 84, of Bullard will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Tyler with Rev. Stuart Baskin officiating. Mr. Wood passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025. He was born May 16, 1940, in Byron, Arkansas to Rufus Ray Wood and Inez Welch Wood. Bill was raised in Byron and graduated from Salem High School. From a young age, he worked alongside his family, helping in their general store, post office, and tending to the land. After high school, he pursued higher education, spending his summers as a fishing guide at West Thumb Lodge in Yellowstone National Park. It was there that he met the love of his life, Genny Griffith—marking the beginning of a beautiful journey together. Bill dedicated his professional life to the hardware, building materials, and lumber industry, spending the last 25+ years of his career with Allied Building Stores. His career in sales and management took him and his family across many states, including Colorado, Missouri, and Tennessee, before they eventually put down roots in Tyler, Texas. There, they built a loving home and raised two children, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. A devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Tyler, Mr. Wood found joy in his retirement years in Bullard, Texas. He and Genny traveled together, cheered on their grandchildren at countless sporting events, and gave back to their community through his volunteer work with the Bullard Mission House. Bill was blessed with a wonderful group of friends who stood by his side for over 50 years. He treasured their friendship and looked forward to their weekly Friday night dinners, where laughter, stories, and lifelong bonds were shared. Above all, Bill cherished his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who took immense pride in each of his loved ones. Nothing brought him more joy than watching his family grow, celebrating their accomplishments, and sharing in their lives. Whether it was attending a grandchild’s game, offering words of wisdom, or simply enjoying time together, his love and support were unwavering. His spirit lives on in the lessons he taught, the love he shared, and the strong, close-knit family he helped build. Mr. Wood was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Ann Wood (Genny), daughter Shannon Elizabeth Wood, sister Beth Glock, brother-in-law Jack Glock and both parents Rufus and Inez Wood. He is survived by a loving family William R Wood II and wife Kelly Ann Wood of Tyler. Grandchildren Michael and Megan Pritchard (Layne, Dean, Chase) of Whitehouse, Lindsay and Sam Broadbent (Caleb, Ellie, Hadleigh) of Bullard, William Ryan Wood and Shelby Carter of Tyler, Jess Wood of Tyler, Amy and Jordon Vander Vorste of Tyler, Christopher Wood (Hazel) of Troup, Caden Wood of Tyler, Marquez and Ally Franklin (Carter and Milah) of Bullard. Close family friends Lynne Wagoner, Vernon and Sandra Stanley. Honorary Pallbearers William Ryan Wood Jess Daniel Wood Christopher Ray Wood Caden Griffith Wood Michael David Pritchard Marquez Franklin Sam Broadbent Jordon Vander Vorste Mitch Glock

William R. Wood

May 16, 1940 - March 21, 2025