William W. (Bill) Wood, Jr., 94, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at Ohio University, died peacefully at Kimes Rehabilitation Center in Athens, OH, on April 12th. Bill is from Davidson, NC, and was born August 18, 1921 to William Woodhull Wood and Sally Price Wood at his mother’s family home in Lewisburg, WV.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Emilie Robinson Wood of Athens, daughters Mary Wood-Constable (Jim Constable) of Cincinnati, OH and Sally McCarley (Mike Loffa) of Columbus, OH; son Roy Wood (Tracy) of Rochester, NY; grandchildren Will Constable (Jessica Zhao), Julia Constable, Allyson McCarley, Kevin McCarley, Melina Martin, Peter Martin, and Liam Wood; sister-in-law Catherine Wood; numerous nieces and nephews; cousins; and special friends Peter Suwarno and Aswin Guswana who lived with the family while students at OU.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brothers Robert Wood (Myra) and Lewis Wood.
He attended Davidson College, then served in the south Pacific during WWII as a second lieutenant in the Army. He received his MA and PhD at the University of North Carolina. Prior to being on the faculty at Ohio University, he taught at Austin College in Sherman, TX and Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV.
He conducted research in Indonesia, with a focus on Balinese agricultural systems. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Athens. Bill had a love of people, the arts, travel and discovery.
Always a gentle man, he embodied a blend of quiet grace, warmth, positivity and humor that touched generations of students, yet always shone most brightly among family. Bill enjoyed his children and grandchildren tremendously, engaging with them in activities that ranged from crawling around on “all fours” to serious discussions. Even in fun, he shared his love of learning.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23rd at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, in Athens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) PO Box 220, Gloucester, OH 45732, www.hapcap.org. or the charity of one’s choice .
Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register book at www.jagersfuneralhome.com
Published in The Athens NEWS from Apr. 14 to May 13, 2016