Biography: The world lost an outstanding member of the “Greatest Generation” Sunday, December 13, 2020 at the age of 95.   James W. Woods was born in Little Rock, the 4^th child of the Woods family on April 29, 1925.
 
He attended Little Rock High School, (Central High), and enlisted in the navy during the height of WWII.  He served on many islands all over the Pacific in Naval Aviation during difficult times when the war’s outcome was still in question.  The tropical heat, lack of food, mosquitoes and even an occasional crocodile in the river he bathed in, not to mention the Japanese still held part of the Pacific Islands, but he never complained and did his job.
 
After the war he married the love of his life Jean Lynch from Bauxite, Arkansas.  Soon after marriage he and his new wife moved to Chicago to attend Commercial Refrigeration School.  That was a great adventure for the couple from Arkansas and required odd jobs and being very frugal to get by while living in a boarding house.  The boarding house had a view of the stage door for Chicago’s famous Aragon Ballroom. Often, they would just watch the door hoping to see a famous performer.
 
James was fortunate to find employment in his home town and began work at Refrigeration and Electric Supply and worked there until his retirement. James and Jean enjoyed travel and took Cruises and trips throughout much of Europe. James was preceded in death by all four of his brothers and sisters, and his mother and father.
 
James leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 73 years Jean, his children Elizabeth Billingsley (John), and Bill Woods. Grandsons, Clayton Billingsley (Chrissy), and Anthony Billingsley (Christine), and 4 great-grandchildren.  James will be missed by all.  They don’t make men like him anymore.
 
In lieu of flowers, James would want a donation to OUT of the WOODS Animal Rescue
ootwrescue.org or Oak Forest Methodist Church.
 
Pallbearers are Anthony Billingsley, Clayton Billingsley, Randy Looney, James Linn and John Turner.  There will be a visitation from 11:00am-1:00pm on Thursday, Dec. 17 at Ruebel Funeral Home, 6313 W. Markham and a burial directly following at Roselawn Cemetery at 1:30pm.
 
Mask will be required and COVID protocols will be observed.