The graveside funeral service for William Joseph "Bill" Wood will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, OK. Officiating will be the Reverend Randy Herrington.

Viewing will be Tuesday from Noon until 7:00 pm and Wednesday from 9:00 am -7:00 pm.

William Joseph Wood was born March 9, 1949 in Wagoner, OK to William Benjamin Harrison Wood and Minlee Ruth (Swain) Wood. It was shortly after his birth that Bill was nicknamed "Peanut" by his Grandmother Swain. He grew up in Okay and graduated from Okay High School. All his family recalls how Bill liked to drive fast. As a teenager he liked to race his dad's truck.

Bill served his country in the United States Air Force before being honorably discharged in 1972. He was employed in maintenance at Brockway Glass in Muskogee, OK for 35 years before he retired.

For the past number of years Bill made his home in Pryor, OK with Denise Noonkester where he enjoyed life on Lake Hudson. In his spare time Bill liked fishing and boating. For a while he entered bass fishing tournaments

He also loved reading books and working crossword puzzles. Bill had a way with kids and loved to play outside with them. He loved to talk to and about his grandchildren. They were the light of his life. He was also known to spoil his cat, Mr. Sly. His favorite foods were "real" banana pudding and strawberry shortcake.

Bill departed this life Saturday, June 22, 2019 at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 70 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.H. and Ruth Woods; a brother, Kenneth Wood; grandson, Ely Ryan Shiflet and a nephew, Brian DeLue.

Survivors include his loving companion, Denise Noonkester of the home; two daughters, Mary Catherine Wood of Checotah, OK and Jessica Wood and husband, Steven Langford of Arkhoma, OK; grandchildren to whom he was "Papa", Megan Hogle, Aiden Rucker, Hunter Rucker, Hayden Wood-Reynolds, Brenna Shiflet and Whitley Shiflet; Additionally, Denise's children and grandchildren, to whom he was "Papa Bill", Richard Winter and his children, Bryer Winter, Miley Winter, Richard Winter Jr, Rowdy Winter and Kaleb Winter, and Joy Devore and her children, Summer Devore and Alex Devore; Bill's sisters, Lynda Pofah and Janice DeLue, both of Okay, OK; Sue Herrington and husband, Randy, of Broken Arrow, OK and Mary Oslin and husband, David Oslin of Muskogee, OK; many loving nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.