Louis A. Woodard, son of Nelson & Jessie (Gates) Woodard, was born Feb. 14, 1935 in Gretna, KS.  He passed away on June 22, 2021 at the Phillips County Retirement Center in Phillipsburg at the age of 86.

Louis started his career as a truck driver hauling rocks in to build the Kirwin Dam.  Over his 45 year career, he worked with a custom cutting crew, he drove for Patton Oil, Permian Oil & finally driving for Farmland Industries where he was working when he retired. His CB handle & nickname was Hondo.

On September 11, 1963, Louis was united in marriage to Sharon Gower.  This union was blessed with a son Marty.  The family made their home in Phillipsburg.

In his younger years, Louis enjoyed riding motorcycles with his wife Sharon.  He also enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, birds, hot rod cars, reading about airplanes both old & new & various types of music.  Louis was a sports fan, he enjoyed watching football & basketball.  Back in the day, he was a Minnesota Vikings fan & of course he loved Fran Tarkington.

He & Sharon enjoyed watching the Jayhawks play basketball.  He was also an animal lover of all kinds.  Most people thought that it was Sharon only who loved her cats, but Louis loved them as well. He was a huge John Wayne fan & loved to watch old westerns on TV.

Over the years, the family took many vacations to the mountains of Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, the Ozarks & New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Sharon; his brother, Vernon & his sisters, Vivian Cruz & Dorothy Chandler.

Survivors include his son Marty; his grandson Tyler; brother Robert & sister, Dolores Lessor.

Louis was friendly to all & was willing to help a total stranger if they needed it.  Even though Louis could be a little quiet at times, he was a good man with a big heart.  He will be greatly missed by his family & many friends.

Graveside services will be held Sat. June 26, at 10:00 a.m. in the Fairview Cemetery, Phillipsburg, with Pastor Joel Hiesterman officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Louis Woodard memorial fund.

Visitation will be from noon to 9:00 Friday with the family receiving friends from 7-8 p.m. at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel.