BILLY EDWARD WOODY
Billy Edward Woody, known fondly by all as “Woody”, passed away on June 26, 2023, at the age of 87.
Woody was born on Sept. 2, 1935, in the Texas Blackland Prairie city of Bartlett to Royal Edward Woody and Mura Lee Denson Woody. He is preceded in death by his parents and his beloved sister Doris Jean Woody Cowan.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Elizabeth Leger Woody. He also leaves behind a brother, Richard Lee Woody, daughter Sharon Woody Luczak and husband Michael, stepson Casey Lowery and wife Julie, stepdaughter Diane Lowery Zdunkewicz and husband David, granddaughter Lindsay Luczak Zalonis and husband Matt, grandson Matthew Joseph Luczak and fiancé Hannah Parker, step granddaughters Laura Zdunkewicz Glover and husband Grant, Annie Zdunkewicz and fiancé Josh Stevens and great grandson Gunnar James Zalonis.
Woody was proud to be from Bartlett, home of the famous Bartlett “Hot Gut” sausage. He played football for the Bartlett Bulldogs and was voted the FHA Beau in 1952. In 1956, he boarded a train to Union Station in Houston with a suitcase, a sack lunch and a can of bacon grease prepared by his dear mother.
Once in Houston, he took a job that would become a part of the very fiber of his being, a “Parts Man” at Tommie Vaughn Motors, where he worked for over 65 years. He was a trusted right-hand man, “Bul l” to Mr. Vaughn. Woody successfully managed the parts inventory system for the dealership which received recognition from Ford Motor Company and enabled he and Liz to enjoy many Ford sponsored trips over the years. The dealership address at 1145 N. Shepherd was as much his home as any other address where he ever lived. He loved the people of Tommie Vaughn, its employees and customers. During his many years with this family business, he spent 12 years managing the Tommie Vaughn Auto Country dealership in Columbus, Texas where he dealt with products beyond Ford to include Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Polaris.
Without fanfare, Woody helped many that needed help, fed those that needed feeding and loved deeply those that he loved. It was rare to go anywhere and not meet someone who knew him. He had a true servant’s heart. He also made del icious lemon chess pies.
Woody will be greatly missed by too many to name as he was a friend to many. We extend much gratitude to the Vaughn family, Jim and Jeanie Janke, sons Kirby and Kyle and also Kay Vaughn, all of whom were like family to Woody. Very special thanks to Joe Blair, Christy Zeh and Melissa McMillan for going above and beyond especially in his last years at Tommie Vaughn.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Woody at Tommie Vaughn Ford, 1201 N. Shepherd on Sunday, July 23, 2023, from 2-5 p.m.
Woody just wanted to live a good and honest life. We think he succeeded.