William Woodruff

As those who knew William Woodruff can attest, he was a passionate man as he was passionate about serving his Lord, passionate about loving his family, and passionate about drinking in everything that life has to offer. His unwavering faith was an inspiration to all who were within his reach, and his service to the church was unmatched. With the love of his life by his side for nearly 50 years, Bill saw so much of the splendor of God’s creation having visited 48 states in our great land. Although his accomplishments in his work were numerous, Bill was a man of humility who remained true to the person God called him to be. A gift in the lives of many, he will be deeply missed while his memory is forever treasured by those too numerous to count.

The 1920s are remembered as a vibrant decade when innovation birthed great successes in both the industrial and business sectors. We cheered with the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh in the skies while the silent film came to an end during this same time of unprecedented change. Nestled within this exciting time there was great anticipation in 1925 for one young family from Vassar, Kansas, as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of a new baby. Their wait was over on September 30th of that year when a healthy baby boy arrived to bless their lives. William J. was one of three boys born to his parents, Kenneth Arthur and Carrie (Brecheisen) Woodruff, and was raised on the family farm alongside his brothers, Henry and Clarence. His parents worked hard as farmers in order to support their family during times of great struggle for the agricultural industry due to the trying days of the Great Depression.

Education always played an important role in Bill’s life, and he had an insatiable thirst for knowledge throughout his entire life’s journey. His formal education began in a one-room schoolhouse and finished with a doctorate in theology much later in life.

With a desire to serve his country, Bill was an Army quartermaster during the Korean Conflict. It comes as no surprise to those who knew Bill that even while involved in the perils of war, his passion was to better the lives of those around him as he spent as much time as he could teaching English to Korean theology students.

With his duty to his country fulfilled, Bill completed his college education at Ottawa University using the GI Bill. Soon after, he was called to the ministry and went on to earn his Bachelor of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. His education didn’t end there, however, as he also earned two master’s degrees in religious education and theology from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Bill’s doctorate in theology was the pinnacle of his educational career.

Although his life’s work was a cornerstone in his life, there was nothing that was more near and dear to his heart than those he cherished. He met the love of his life, Wanda Lea Schuck, on a blind date. Thank goodness Bill was persistent as she finally agreed to a date after he made the request more than 10 times. The couple went bowling on their first date, and Bill ate her ice cream after the date. It only took six months for Bill to know that she was the woman for him, and he asked her to become his wife. The couple married on August 18, 1962, in Chester, Oklahoma, just three months later. A short time later the couple was blessed with their first of three children, Teresa, in 1963. She was later joined by Bruce and Neal, whose births completed their family perfectly.

In 1968 their growing family moved to Kankakee, Illinois, where Bill began working as a pastor. Through the years he pastored churches in Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Bill’s passion for learning spilled over into the teaching of his students when he later became a professor. He was a professor of Religion and Biblical Literature at Olivet Nazarene University for more than two decades. Bill absolutely loved teaching God’s word to his students, and he also taught high school English for a time.

Bill’s vast knowledge of the faith he embraced manifested itself in other ways as well. He was nationally recognized for his abstracting activities for Religious and Theological Abstracts, Biblical Archeology. Bill also worked on the translation of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. In retirement he continued to teach ordination requirements to ministers for the Northeast Oklahoma School of the Ministry, Church of the Nazarene.

Throughout his life Bill was a man of many passions. In addition to his personal faith and his family, he loved pastoring Zoar Community Church in Reddick, Illinois. Bill was an integral part of the summer church softball league in Bourbonnais and Kankakee as he loved playing, coaching the youth teams, and hitting balls to guys until he could no longer lift his arms. He also enjoyed traveling, especially camping all over the country in a tent, and gardening in his one acre garden. Bill was a Cardinals fan, liked playing Checkers, and was involved in Olivet Nazarene University for 25 years.

The legacy of William Woodruff is one of faith, unending love for others, and selfless sacrifice that will live on in the lives of the generations who follow him. He was a man of great wisdom with a love for learning that was his constant companion. Bill treasured his role as a father, but just may have argued that being a grandfather to the two grandchildren who were the light of his life was his greatest reward. He was entertained by his own humor, and he loved following the tradition of reading the Christmas story and singing carols each year, making the holidays such a special time. Life will never be the same without Bill here, but the memories he leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of many.

William J. Woodruff died on October 2, 2011. Bill’s family includes his wife, Wanda; children, Teresa (Thomas O’Halloran) Woodruff, Bruce (Kathy) Woodruff, and Neal (Shannon) Woodruff; grandchildren, Ryan and Kayelyn Woodruff; brother-in-law, Max (Nelda) Shuck; and a host of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Henry and Clarence, and their wives. A gathering time for William’s family and friends will be Wednesday, October 5, 2011 from 12 noon until the 1:30 celebration of life funeral service all at the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home, Bourbonnais Chapel. A second celebration of his life will be Friday, October 7, 2011 at 1 p.m. with a one hour visitation prior to the service at Elm Grove Community Church with burial following at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Chester, OK. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the William and Wanda Woodruff Scholarship Fund at Olivet Nazarene University, 1 University Ave Bourbonnais, IL. attention Stan Martin, or Nazarene World Missions, or Hospice of Kankakee Valley.