William Woodyard

William "Bill" Woodyard - Sun City West lost an original pioneer resident on February 13, 2018. Comforted and supported by his wife Imogene "Imy", William "Bill" Woodyard passed peacefully at the age of 98 at the Moonlight Manor Assisted Living facility in Surprise, Arizona.Born in St. Joseph, Missouri and following a 38 year distinguished career in the United States Air Force culminating as a Brigadier General at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Bill retired with his wife Ruth and moved to Sun City West in 1979. Within weeks he joined the Del E. Webb Construction Company as the first employee and General Manager of the Recreation Centers of Sun City West, reporting directly to Del Webb, a position he held until his second retirement in 1990. During his tenure, Bill was instrumental in the development of the first three rec centers, hired 400 staff associates, made many improvements to the many facilities and put the rec center assets on a sound, sustaining financial plan. He had a particular love of the golf courses. Bill and Ruth were founding members of the Briarwood Country Club where they made many, many friends over the years. Following the death of Ruth in 1999 Bill married Imogene McKelvey in 2002.Bill served on the Boswell Memorial Hospital Corporate Board from 1980-1986, and the Del E. Webb Memorial Operating Board from 1986-2002. Bill's volunteering includes serving as Chairman of the Sun City West Condo Association. He and Imogene are members of the Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church.Preceding his passing are his parents, Russell and Mary Woodyard, his beloved first wife Ruth Burnett Woodyard, and sisters Thelma Ruth Shilling and Sally Snail. He is survived by his wife Imy, 6 children, 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and his sister Mary Louise Miller Goss.Services will be private with interment at the U.S. Air Force Academy.