William “Bill” Walter Woolman, son of Charlie and Lydia (Brown) Woolman, was born September 9, 1917, in the Rippee Creek area in Douglas County. He departed this life June 18, 2005, at the age of 87.
On February 21, 1938, Bill and Mae Wright were united in marriage in Norwood.
Bill was a resident of Lake Spring since 1952, moving from Ava. Bill worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation for 10 years as a wildlife trapper where he was a pioneer in the field of cannon netting turkeys. He attended Victory Baptist Church and was a member of the Boone and Crocket Club. He loved hunting, fishing, camping and seeing his grand-, great-grand-, and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, William L. Woolman; three brothers, Earl, Clifford and Elwood Woolman; two sisters, Eula Dyer and Rebecca Sargent; and a great-great-grandchild, Kole Benton Hunter.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mae, of the home; three sons, Paul and wife, Abby Woolman, of Edinburg, Texas, Clifford and wife, Wanda Woolman, of Ava, and Billy Woolman, of Lake Spring, and friend, Christine Gooden, of Salem; three daughters, June and husband Billy Case, Lecoma, Mo., Kathie and husband, Dan Forth, Columbia, Betty and husband, Robert Sprick, Hartville; a special niece, Patricia Diana Woolman; 27 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill went to be with his Lord in his home surrounded by his loving wife and children.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, in the Yates Cemetery east of Ava with the Rev. Alva Thurman and Bobby Mathis officiating. Visitation was from noon to 1 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava.
Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home of Ava.
