Henry E. “Woody” Woodward

Henry E. "Woody" Woodward, CSM US Army Ret., of Jackson, TN, and formerly of the Kansas City, MO Northland, passed away December 8, 2020, in Jackson.

A memorial service, including a Rose Ceremony by the Royal Order of Jesters and military honors, will held 10AM, Friday, July 1, 2022, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty, MO. Private burial will follow at Lamonte Cemetery, Lamonte, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Shriners' Hospitals for Children (donate.lovetotherescue.org).

Henry, known as Woody to friends and many family members, was born July 16, 1934, in Lamonte, MO, one of 11 children of Stanley and Jessie (Burton) Woodward. At the age of 16, Woody left the family farm with very little means to seek his future. He journeyed to nearby Sedalia, MO, and enlisted in the US Army. Eight Woodward brothers would ultimately serve in the US military...80 years of total service among the eight.

Woody's 20-plus year career in the US Army included service in Ft. Knox, KY, Germany, Ft. Campbell, KY, Italy, Ft. Benning, GA, Vietnam, Korea, and Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He proudly served in the 101st Airborne at Ft. Knox, KY, and followed into the Airborne Recon Special Forces. He distinguishably retired as Command Sergeant Major on May 31, 1971. Any person who met Woody, soon learned his pride for his country and service. His 16 awards and decorations included the Bronze Star Medal. He was Past Commander of VFW Post 7356 in Parkville, MO.

Following Army service, Woody continued to work with his association in Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (now MetLife) for 19 years and in construction 15 years.

Woody's other passion was membership in the Masonic fraternity where he worked tirelessly supporting goals of the Masonic, Scottish Rite and Shrine bodies. He began his Masonic journey while serving in the Army in Ft. Campbell and was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies and Shrine in Memphis. After moving to Kansas City, Woody joined Rising Sun Lodge, the Scottish Rite (where he earned a "red hat") and Ararat Shrine. Woody devoted countless hours as Membership Chairman for the Scottish Rite and Shrine. At Ararat, Woody served as President of Northland Shrine Club, Director of Shrine Clubs, the Divan, Motor Corps Director, and was a member of the Ole Cars Unit. He was also a very active member of the Royal Order of Jesters and a member of the International Association of Shrine Motor Corps.

Along with his parents, Woody was preceded in death by sisters, Joan Woodward, Bessie Leslie and Daisy Wolthous, and brothers, Stanley Jr., Lee, Jerry, Gene and Don.

Survivors include his wife, Carol (Rice) Woodward; children, Henry C. Woodward, Richard A. Woodward and Angela R. Hill; eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren; brothers, William "Dave" and James Woodward, as well as countless nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

A memorial service, including a Rose Ceremony by the Royal Order of Jesters and military honors, will held 10AM, Friday, July 1, 2022, at Park Lawn Northland Chapel, I-35 at State Route 291, Liberty, MO. Private burial will follow at Lamonte Cemetery, Lamonte, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Shriners’ Hospitals for Children (donate.lovetotherescue.org).