George William Woodward

Published 1:06 am Wednesday, June 8, 2016

January 9, 1921 – May 29, 2016

Gene was born January 9, 1921, in Manassa, Colorado, married Frances Eileen (Bush) on May 25, 1946, and peacefully went to be with his Lord on May 29, 2016, which was the birthday of his oldest son, Michael. He served in the U.S. Army, Army Air Force Branch from 1942-1945 (Corporal) in Naples, Tunisia, Algeria French Morocco (Africa) and Rome (Italy). He received the Good Conduct Medal and European African Eastern Service Medal. Gene’s dream was to fly, but because the quota for pilots had been met by the military, he realized his dream as a civilian earning his wings after he was discharged.

He and Eileen divorced in 1977. Later that year, he met Lila Langston and they were married on December 24, 1978. They both loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, Florida, and Alaska. Places Gene lived were Colorado, California, Washington, Alaska, and Bend, Oregon. Gene’s zest for life and adventure were reflected in his many interests: a long distance motorcycle excursion with best friend Bill Kreps, travel, family camping, fishing, boating, and driving his Cadillac. He was actively involved in The Band of Brothers and Grace First Lutheran Church.

Gene is survived by four children from his first marriage; Claudia Martin (Tex – deceased), Michael Woodward, David Woodward, and Mark Woodward; one granddaughter, Sara Dewey; and one great-grandson, Sean Freeman. His wife, Lila, predeceased him on November 20, 2015. He is also survived by Lila’s children, Judy Anschuetz (Richard), Larry Langston (Jane), Steven Langston, and Susan Langston (David Shumway) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, on July 1st at 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life for family and friends to honor Gene and Lila will take place at the Hilton Gardens (Old Mill- Mt. Bachelor Room) in Bend on Sunday, July 3rd at 4:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Susan Langston @ (907) 227-2204. Our heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Joseph Flannery, Pastor Joel LiaBraaten, Pastor Glen Schaumloeffel, Keith Macnamara, Home Instead, Heart N Home Hospice and Palliative Care and the numerous loving caregivers at Aspen Ridge Retirement Home in Bend, Oregon. Autumn Funerals were entrusted with the arrangements.