Obituary of William G. Woodruff

William G. Woodruff, 74, of Clinton, passed away Friday, August 29, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. William was born on November 27, 1939 in Dover, NJ, the son of the late Theodore and Mary (Miller) Woodruff. He was united in marriage to Roberta J. Jones on July 15, 1967 in Utica. Bill was a graduate of Clinton High School, attended SUNY Morrisville, and was a SSG in the Army National Guard. He worked for NYS as the Grounds Supervisor at Utica Psychiatric Center. Bill was an indefatigable worker, cloud watcher, flower planter, lover of his children and grandchildren. He was Welsh by marriage and appreciative of the culture. He was eager to please and ready to help anyone. Bill was a rejuvenator of wooden trunks and installer of reed weaving in ancient chair seats. For many years he made balsam wreaths, gathering greens in the town of Gray. He loved the Lord and was confident that he would wake in the arms of his Creator. Bill enjoyed participating in the Monday Bible study at Stone Church and special friends Bible study on Thursdays. He is predeceased by his sisters, Dorothy Darpino and Barbara Mocuta, and brother, Ted Woodruff. He is survived by his wife, Roberta; son, Eric (Jennifer Holmes) Woodruff of Warrenton, VA; daughters, Natalie (Frank) Frost of Sauquoit, and Jill (Andrew) Chan of Seattle, WA; sister, Alice Woodruff of NJ; grandchildren, Kenny, Gwen, Eliza, Lliam, Colin, Ffiona, and Miller; a niece, a nephew, and several cousins. A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at New Hartford First United Methodist Church, 105 Genesee Street, New Hartford. All are invited to call from 1-2pm on Thursday at the church. Following the service a luncheon will be held for all family and friends. Arrangements made by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College Street, Clinton. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, P.O. Box 97075, Washington, DC 20077-7258. Special thanks to the staff at Lutheran Care Rehabilitation and St. Elizabeth Emergency Department, especially Jana and Brent. Rev. Brian at Lutheran Home, Pastor Roger Williams, and Rev. Stephen Deckard for their care.