Joseph Robert "Woody" Woodiel

Joseph Robert "Woody" Woodiel

April 24, 1956 ~ January 28, 2023

Joseph Robert (Woody) Woodiel passed away from liver disease at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 28, 2023.  He was 66 years old.  He had been in the care of his family and at KU Medical Center for the previous 37 days.

He was born Tuesday, April 24, 1956, in Blytheville, Arkansas, to Joe Bob Woodiel and Blanche Elizabeth Reeves Woodiel. He was first in the lineup of six children: Woody, Debi, Beki, Nicki, Cathy, and Rick.

As a boy, he was called Bobby.  His early school days took place in Arkansas and Louisiana.  As he grew older, he preferred to be called Robert.  His family moved to Jackson, Mississippi, around middle school, and his new friends Jay and David began calling him Woody. The family relocated to Springfield, Missouri, in 1971. Woody graduated from Central High School in 1974.

Sometime after graduation he hitch-hiked to Jackson to visit and met the love of his life, Maydene Rosamond. They married in Springfield on October 1, 1976 and enjoyed 42 more years together. They were blessed with three children: a son, Jonathan Ezekiel; and two daughters, Alison Blair and Oma Kathryn – Jon, Blair, and Katy.  They raised their family in Fair Grove, Missouri.

Woody’s passions included music, photography, and living a simple life.  He worked as a pressman for ABC Pictures for 34 years.  In his late 50s, his passions drew him back to school to earn double Associate Applied Science degrees in Graphic Design and Digital Photography.  On his Facebook page, where he posted under the name of Joe Bob Woodiel, he stated he studied at the School of Hard Knocks and the University of Life.

Woody and Maydene became Papa and Nana as they welcomed grandsons Alias, Jaiden, Logan, Mason, Scout, Wyatt, and Abel; granddaughter Ila Mae; and great-grandson Max.

Woody treasured and had the comfort of many wonderful friends while traveling down life’s path.  There were so many words of prayer, encouragement, and tribute, including this one from his friend Dave:

In 1989, I walked into ABC Pictures to apply for a job and was met by a smiling hippie in overalls and 3-foot-long braids on each side of his head. We got along right away and spent the next 14 years working together. A lot of good music, memories, and friendship. Rest in Peace Woody.

Woody was preceded in death by his wife, Maydene in 2018; his sister, Beki Adams in 2021; and his father, Joe Bob Woodiel in 2006.

In addition to his children and their spouses/significant others, and grandchildren/great grandchildren, he is survived by his mother Blanche, sister Deborah Carol Woodiel Randall and her husband, Ted; sister Anna Nicole Ruth Woodiel Heist; sister Mary Catherine Woodiel Loomis and her husband, Jimmy; and brother Richard Stephen Woodiel and his wife, Traci.

Woody’s big family included aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as nephews: Jack, Levi, Luke, Jesse, Josh, Joseph, and Jacob; nieces: Sofi, Tori, Madi, and Ashlee; great nephews: Ayden and Kyler; and great nieces: Mylee and Kynlee.

While we don't yet know how to rest easy without him here, may the unique force of nature that was Woody rest in peace.  As we say goodbye to his physical presence, we are comforted knowing his spirit will remain a part of us.

Woody has requested that his cremated remains be placed in fireworks to light up the sky.  His celebration of life will be held Saturday, July 1st (Updates will be posted on Facebook). Family and friends are asked to wear something tie-dye to honor Woody's unique style.