Woodard
WAYCROSS — Mr. A.W. Woodard, Sr., 85, of Waycross, died Saturday evening, January 4, 2025, at Baptist Village Retirement Communities after an extended illness.
He was born in Waycross to the late Oscar Woodard and Fannie Drigg ers Woodard. Woodard had made Waycross his home for his entire life. He was a Veteran of the United States Army.
Woodard owned and operated A&W Used Auto Parts and Woodard’s Auto Electric & Wrecker Service. He was an avid race car fan who 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, he enjoyed his time drinking coffee with his coffee buddies at Huddle House and Jerry J’s.
Along with his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Ryals Woodard; his granddaughter, MaryClare “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.
