H. Woodruff

H.W. "Woody" Woodruff, 85, of Graysville, Pa., R.D.#1 and formerly of Donegal Twp., Washington Co. died at 6:28 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2005 in the home of his daughter, Debra Hewitt after being in failing health for the past year.He was born December 10, 1919 in Washington County, Pa. a son of George Leonard and Ruth Merle Whipkey Woodruff and had been a resident of Donegal Twp, for 32 years prior to moving to Morris Twp., Greene County in 2003.Mr. Woodruff served from April until September 1936 with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Amherst, Va. He was a veteran of World War II where he served as a Seaman First Class with US Navy aboard the USS George W. Inghram. Mr. Woodruff was employed as a mill operator at the former Jessop Steel Corp. in Washington for 32 years prior to retiring in June 1972 and was later employed as a laborer and crane operator by the former Washington Steel Corp prior to retiring a second time in 1990.He was a member of the Jessop Club, the A.A.R.P. and a former member of the Washington V.F.W., a member of Masonic Lodge #623 in Washington, Pa., the Pittsburgh Consistory and Syria Shrine.Mr. Woodruff was a member of the National Appaloosa Association, American Quarter Horse Association and a member and former director of the Corner Pocket Appaloosa Club. He was a founding member and former President and director of the Washington County Trotting Pony Association and was a member of the National Trotting Pony Association. He was given special permission for the one and only trotting pony race ever held at the Meadows Race Track in Washington, Pa.On September 25, 1953 he married Grayce Antoinette Wright O'Connor Woodruff who survives.Surviving in addition to his wife are three daughters, Debra wife of James D. Hewitt of Graysville, R.D. #1, Cheryl Dianne McAvoy of Clearwater, Fl and Donna Joyce wife of John Broach of Okmulgee, Ok; six granddaughters, Lacey Lynn Hewitt, Danielle Lynn McAvoy Hall, Brenda Cook Williams, Dana Cook Stang, Sonya Cook Willison, and Shawna Cook Couch; ten great grandchildren; one sister, Helen Johnson of Chandler, Az.Deceased are one daughter, Marcia Jane O'Connor Stein, who died in 2001; one stepson, Patrick John O'Connor; one grandson, Timothy Odell Cook and one sister, Norma Jean Wagner.Graveside military rites will be accorded by Edwin Scott Litton American Legion Post #175 of Washington, Pa. The Masonic Lodge 623 FAM of Washington will conduct a memorial service in the funeral home at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or Grandview United Methodist Church 511 Golden Oaks Rd, New Freeport, Pa. 15352.