WAYCROSS — Mr. A.W. Woodard, Sr., 85, of Waycross died Saturday evening, January 4, 2025 at Baptist Village Retirement Communities after an extended illness.
Woodard was born January 13, 1939 in Waycross to the late Oscar Woodard and Fannie Drigg ers Woodard. He had made Waycross his home for his entire life.
Woodard was a veteran of the United States Army. He owned and operated A&W Used Auto Parts and Woodard’s Auto Electric & Wrecker Service.
He was an avid race car fan. Woodard loved NASCAR and dirt track racing. His passion for racing led him to own and operate Waycross Motor Speedway from 1962 until 1996. When he wasn’t working, Woodard enjoyed his time drinking coffee with his coffee buddies at Huddle House and Jerry J’s.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Ryals Woodard; his granddaughter, Mary-Clare “Cootie” Woodard; four sisters, Dorothy Jean Strickland, Nell Woodard, Linda Spell and Betty Jacobs; and four brothers, Charles Woodard, Lawrence Woodard, Donald Woodard and Glen Woodard.
Woodard is survived by his daughter, Angela Pitts and her husband, Rickey, of Waycross; his son, A.W. “Dub” Woodard, Jr. of Waycross; four grandchildren, Jenna Anderson (Edwin) of Jesup, Emily Woodard of Waycross, Jessica Woodard (Vann McDonald) of Brunswick and Elliot Woodard of Waycross; his sister, Anna Laura Dowling of Waycross; his brother, Jimmy Woodard (Diane) of Hoboken; close friend, Chad Anderson (Mary) of Waycross; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
The family will hold a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Easterseals Southern Georgia, www.easterseals.com Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.milesodumfuneralhome. com.
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