Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, 2016

William Wood(1936 - 2016)
William Alfred "Bill" Wood, Jr.
1936-2016
William "Bill" Alfred Wood, Jr., age 79, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, the 15th of August 2016, in Houston. Bill was born on the 1st of December 1936, in Houston to William Alfred Wood, Sr. and Corinne McLaughlin Wood. A 1955 graduate of St. Thomas High School, Bill earned a bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University, where he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets. Bill was a direct descendent of Kenneth Lewis Anderson, the last vice president of the Republic of Texas.
He spent his professional life in Houston and San Antonio and later retired to Horseshoe Bay, Texas for many years. Bill especially loved playing golf with his regular 4 some, and, water skiing and tubing with his children and grandchildren.
Bill and Shirley enjoyed traveling together and with his family nationally and internationally. The family often gathered in New York City to celebrate Thanksgiving and Sea Island, Georgia to celebrate Easter. Bill's travel plans frequently included rounds of golf and he played numerous courses in the United States and around the world.
Family was the core of Bill's life. His deep connection to his children and grandchildren was exceptional. He was known for never missing an event. He was a coach to his children and a constant fan for his many grandchildren both in Houston and Oklahoma. His children and grandchildren will miss his Saturday morning donut drop-off and his regular Wednesday and Friday lunch dates. He will also be greatly missed by his Tuesday Lexington Grille lunch buddies.
A devoted Texas A&M Aggie, Bill was a long-time football season ticket holder who used Saturday afternoons at Kyle Field to share and further the Spirit of Aggieland with friends and family. He received many awards and honors for his support of the university's mission and reveled in the school's physical and academic expansions. Bill and Shirley were loyal participants in the William A. Wood '59 Corps of Cadets 21st Century Scholarship; the Class '59 Corps Endowed Academic Fund; the Cushing Memorial Library Enhancement Fund; the Shirley and William A. Wood, Jr. '59 Corps of Cadets Leadership Excellence Endowment; the Class of '59 Corps Academic Endowment; the Quadrangle ("Quad") Renovation Project Fund and the Squadron 4 Legacy Group Corps Scholarship. Bill was also an Endowed Century Club member through the Association of Former Students.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his godfather, His Eminence William Cardinal Baum. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Jean Mahaffey Wood; his sister, Corinne (Sue) Wood Danna; his first wife, Virginia Segrato Wood; his children, Mary Louise Binning and husband Brad; Virginia Renee Lange and husband Mark and; William (Trey) Alfred Wood III and wife Anne Marie; his grandchildren, Kelly Binning Ongena and husband Cameron, William Bradford (Ford) Binning and wife, Caroline, Mary Ilene Binning, Emily Ann Lange, Katherine (Kakki) Louise Lange, Alexis (Allie) Virginia Lange, Richard William Lange, Courtney Corinne (C.C.) Wood and Rita Nicole Wood. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Bill's wife, children, grandchildren, sister, many nieces and nephews were always first and foremost in his life. He will be greatly missed.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock this afternoon until seven o'clock this evening on Thursday, the 18th of August, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where recitation of the Holy Rosary is to commence at seven o'clock.
A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at ten o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 19th of August, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.
The Rite of committal is to be conducted at eleven o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 20th of August, at Prairie Lea Cemetery, 1004 Prairie Lea Street in Brenham.
In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed towards the A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840-2811; or to the .
"Gig'em!!"




Funeral Home
Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors
1010 Bering Drive Houston, TX 77057
(713) 789-3005