Walter Woods, Jr

Mr. Walter James Woods, Jr, passed away on January 5, 2011 at the age of 86. Born November 11, 1924 in Birmingham to his parents, Walter James and Frances Veronica Woods. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Arlyn McKinnon Woods. Walter left Ensley High School to join the Navy during World War II and completed his electrician mate's training at Great Lakes Naval Station and Purdue University. Upon completeion of training, he was assigned to the newly commissioned Belle Grove in San Francisco and sailed for Pearl Harbor. While at Pearl, Walter volunteered for submarine service and was shipped back to the states for training. While between assignments, Walter and Arlyn were married on June 27, 1944. Shortly thereafter another assignment came up and he was shipped to Scotland and traveled across Europe ending up at the recently captured German Seaport of Bremerhaven. Upon returning from WWII, Walter went to work for Southern Bell and was employed by the phone company for 38 years. He was a Shriner, a member of Riverchase United Methodist Church and the Seekers' Sunday School Class. Walter and Arlyn enjoyed years of square dancing, traveling and Alabama football. He was proud to be a veteran and participated in the Honor Flight to Washington DC. He is survived by his children, Virginia (Bobby) Franklin of Helena; James Woods of Los Angeles; Rebecca (David) Hyde of Hueytown; and Cecilia (Tom) Surtees of Hoover; and 3 sisters, Sarah Naugher, Bernice Rohling and Rose Gilmore. Walter and Arlyn's almost 64 years of marriage were blessed by 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 8, 2011 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jim Savage officiating. Interment will be in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to give special thanks to all his care givers who lovingly took care of him for the past year.