Name: Visitation for Harold B. Woods
Start: 2018-05-22T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-05-22T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Wise Funeral Home - Bonham

Funeral Services with Full Military Honors for Col. Harold B. Woods, age 95 of Bonham, TX will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Wise Funeral Home Chapel in Bonham. Officiating will be Rev. Mike Burt. Col. Woods passed away on May 18, 2018. He was born October 31, 1922 in Cross Plains, Texas to Plaz Marion Woods & Mamie Elizabeth Henson Woods.
Col. Harold B. Woods served in the United States Air Force from 1944 until 1973. He was a pilot and aircraft commander during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, and was instrumental in the development and use of tactical airlift refueling planes. During the Korean Conflict he flew repeated round-trip missions to rescue nearly 3,000 children from the war zone, depositing them in a USAF in Japan. Over this lengthy military career, he was the recipient of many medals and commendations, including the Purple Heart, Decorated Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with Silver Cluster and 6 Oak Clusters, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with 8 Oak Clusters. He was a member of the Air Force Association, Glider Pilots Association, American Society of International Law, Order of Daedalions Military Pilots and was a Master Mason. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of North Maryland in 1965. After his official discharge from the Air Force he remained in an advisory role for many years, including for transportation logistics during the Persian Gulf War. Together with his brother Darel, he was instrumental in developing an extraction and utilization method for plastics that would have been buried in landfills. He also worked to develop a pyrolysis machine that would recycle tires and help clean the environment of many different waste streams, converting the refuse into energy. His mission for the last 25 years was to make a constructive and lasting contribution to our planet.
Col. Woods will be remembered with love, not only for his service to his Country, but for his love of his family, children and dogs; and also, for his sense of humor and spell-binding stories. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Plaz Marion Woods & Mamie Elizabeth Woods; son, Gary; step-sons, George and Frank Lisle and eight brothers and sisters
Surviving are his wife of 3 years, Linda M. Woods; daughter, Mary Stuedli and husband Mark ; step-son, Hampton Holley Lisle, III; three grandchildren, Esther Stuedli-Miller, Aaron Stuedli and Brett Newell-Woods; numerous great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews
The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM, Tuesday (1 hour prior to the service) on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Wise Funeral Home Chapel.
An online guestbook is available at www.wisefuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald Democrat on May 22, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Harold Woods

Sponsored by Wise Funeral Home - Bonham.

7 Entries

Robert Rifley

December 16, 2020

When I was in the Strategic Air Command Harold was my aircraft commander. The time was 1964. I did not know of his death until now. He was a fine man.

Ronnie Lester

May 25, 2018

I am sorry for your loss, I enjoyed visiting with him and Linda.

Frank Fudge

May 23, 2018

I had always known in my heart that my Great Uncle Harold was an amazing individual. I wish we both had time, so many years ago, for me to know him better.
I knew that Uncle Harold had been very active in Korea and Vietnam, but had no idea just how much until now.
A true American hero, embracing the things that America was supposed to represent - I am still in awe that I had the fortune to know this man.

Godspeed - until we meet again.

Kenneth Allen Woods

May 22, 2018

My Great Uncle Harold was always a real Hero in my eyes from the time I was a little boy. He was the uncle of my Dad Ken Woods which made him my great uncle which he truely was. I can remember as a little boy how loving he was to me and patient with my questions and he introduced me to cream soda for the very first time which I thought and still do was a wonderful invention although here in Australia it is red and doesn't taste as good as what my Uncle Harold gave to me. I regret that my kids and particularly my son Caleb never got to meet his Great Great Uncle Harold. I would tell Caleb that my Great Uncle Harold was a highly decorated Colonel in the Air Force and my Uncle George was also retired Air Force. He knew as did I if I choose to serve it had to be the Air Force. Thank You Great Uncle Harold for your service to the United States of America and for the great example you set for many people. I pray for all those that you have left behind and that the Lord Jesus will comfort them. Love Your Grand Nephew Ken Allen Woods

Mary Stuedli

May 21, 2018

Papa, you were a wonderful, loving man, richer than most in imagination and generosity, and richly loved.

The Wise Funeral Home Family Bonham, TX

May 22, 2018

We present this guestbook to you with deepest compassion and with our sincerest expression of sympathy.

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