Harold Robb “Woody” Woodruff, 82, died on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Kansas City, MO.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Jan. 16, from 12 to 1 p.m. at Hough and Sons Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Cress Hill Cemetery in Hillsboro. CDC guidelines will be followed, including social distancing and masks.
Mr. Woodruff was born July 1, 1938, in Hillsboro, to Harold E. “Woody” and Catherine (Conway) Woodruff. He was married to Judy Wood for more than 20 years.
He graduated from Hillsboro High School with the class of 1956, and was the first in his family to receive a college degree. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University.
Mr. Woodruff was a forester with the U.S. Forest Service for many years, with assignments in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California, Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois and Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. As a forester, he was often called upon to lead crews in fighting massive forest fires throughout the country.
For a period of time, he owned and operated a mine prop business as well. A member of the Masonic Lodge, he served his country as a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
In his younger days, Mr. Woodruff was an avid hunter and fisherman. In retirement, though, he opted for less vigorous activities, such as reading and working crossword puzzles. A lifelong Cubs fan, he saw his dream come true in 2016, when the Cubs won the World Series. After moving to Kansas City, MO, he became a devoted Chiefs fan and enjoyed following them both at the stadium and on television.
He had a keen sense of humor and was always at the ready with a good joke or story from his arsenal of life’s experiences. Occasionally, he could be pressed to share harrowing tales of his firefighting missions. His love of the outdoors and pride in his Scottish roots were surpassed only by his love for his sons and their families, who brought him immeasurable joy.
Mr. Woodruff is survived by his sons, Robb Anthony (Cindy) Woodruff of Springfield, MO, and Steven Bradley (Angela) Woodruff of Kansas City, MO; three grandsons, Aiden and Bodhi Woodruff of Springfield, MO, and Maxwell Woodruff of Kansas City, MO; sister, Kay Leone Woodruff Keys of Stillwater, OK; nephew, Matthew Keys of Stillwater, OK; and cousins, Jim Conway, Barbara Conway Majors, Connie Conway Lopinot and Mary Martha Macbeth Flamini, all of Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com.
