William E. "Woody" Woodard, Sr., 72, of Beech Grove, Kentucky, formerly of Henderson, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2017.

Woody was the founder of Woodard Cooling and Heating which opened its doors for business in December of 1979 and is still in operation to this day.  He served as the president of the company until 2006.  Over the course of his career in heating and air conditioning, he was a teacher and mentor to many.  He served in the U.S. Army for a term of three years.  During his service, he was awarded several medals for marksmanship.  During his military career, he served in the 2 ^nd division missile battalion and 43 ^rd artillery at Turner Air Force Base in Georgia.  He was passionate about aviation and loved to fly. He loved shooting, camping, and boating.  He had a love for the restoration of old cars and loved to tinker.  He loved the Lord and shared this passion with many of his friends, family, and customers.  He was a very hard working man who was known and loved by many.  Over his lifetime he became well known as a man who would help anyone in need.  He was a loving father, husband, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Wanda M. Bellew Woodard, who died March 6, 2005; his parents, Ed and Helen Woodard; one brother, Ronnie Woodard; one stepdaughter, Lisa Harmon; and two great-grandchildren, Leah and Edison Woodard.

Survivors include his wife of 12 years, Sharon; three sons, William E. "Bill" Woodard and his wife, Heather, Bryan Timothy Woodard and his wife, Kelly, and Timothy William Woodard and his wife, Lyndsay, all of Henderson, Kentucky; one stepdaughter, Kerrie Overfield and her husband, Joe, of Beech Grove, Kentucky; one stepson-in-law, Steve Stone of Henderson, Kentucky; one sister, Cherylene Jordan of Huntington Beach, California; 12 grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and three nieces.

Services will be at noon Tuesday at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  The Reverend Loren Ricketts will officiate.  Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens with full military rites performed by American Legion Worsham Post No. 40.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and until service time Tuesday at the funeral home.