Noel Hanford Woods

Noel H. Woods, of Danville, Illinois traveled to be with our Lord on Wednesday March 6, 2019 after reaching the blessed age of 85 years old. After a long and productive life, he transitioned peacefully surrounded by those who loved him dearly including his Beloved wife Donna and children by his side.

Noel was born on January 3, 1934 in Westville, Ill. to Junius Bell Woods and Hattie Noel, but was raised and loved by his stepmother Lenna Mae Woods after the premature death of Hattie at the age of 35. He was the youngest of eleven children. After graduating from Westville High School in 1954, he met his first wife, Mary Alice Robinson. They married in Crawfordsville, Ill. in 1956. They started their life together in Sacramento, CA where he bravely served our country in the United States Air Force as a military police officer until November 9, 1961. This union created four beautiful children, Lisa Woods (Garrett); Roger Woods; Gary Woods; and Robin Woods (Morrison). After receiving an honorable discharge from the service, Noel moved to Danville, Ill. where he met Donna Harris. They wed in 1977. He joyously took on her three children, Timothy Watson, Troy Watson, and Connie Watson as his own. Due to his love for family, Noel had a hand in raising several of his grandchildren. He assumed full paternal responsibility for his granddaughter, Chevon Woods.

He was a proud employee of ESCO Corporation for forty years where he began as a welder and worked his way to a supervisory position. He served as the union president for 35 years. He also served as the chairman of the board of Danville Consolidated Credit Union for 35 years before retiring at the age of 65. After his retirement, Noel developed a love for photography and spent countless hours with his 22 grandchildren and 85 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in glory by his parents Junius Bell, Hattie Noel, and Lenna Mae Woods. His 3 brothers (Tracy Woods, Junius Arthur, Herbert Woods) and 5 sisters (Helen Copeland, Agnes Houston, Hattie Helen Harris, Aileen Guthrie, Betty Peterson) and one grandchild Quintin Alexander Morrison and one great grandchild Xavier Olesko.

Noel is survived by his wife Donna Woods, his children Lisa, Roger, Gary, Robin, Timothy, Troy, and Connie. His loving sisters Beverly Scobee and Beatrice Odell Ritchie. He also leaves behind a legacy including 22 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 11:00AM at Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church 423 N Washington Ave, Danville, IL 61832. Officiating: Pastor Courtney Watson. Interment will be at Danville National Cemetery.

Visitation will be held 1:00 PM -6:00 PM Monday March 11, 2019 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home 304 E Williams St, Danville, IL 61832.

Condolences may be sent to www.leekandsonsfuneralhome.com

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