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Tryon– William “Wim” Blackwell Woody, 74, of Tryon, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home in Tryon on Friday, February 10, 2023.

Wim was born on July 31, 1948, to Marie Louise Elmer and J. W. Austin Woody, M.D. in Tryon, North Carolina. He was a graduate of The Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut in 1966, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and studied art history and political science.

After graduation, Wim married Christine Stafford Waterhouse and lived in Briarcliff Manor, New York. They had two children, Caroline Woody Williams of Richmond, Virginia, and Stuart Austin Woody of Briarcliff Manor, New York.

Wim returned to Tryon over 30 years ago, where he would remain an active community member. He was passionate about his birthplace and served on the town council as a city commissioner. He loved his Foxtrot Inn, was a member of the Rotary Club and attended the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross throughout his lifetime. He cherished his family and friends and was “the glue” of his daily lunch group. He was quietly philanthropic, putting others’ needs before his by helping friends with their yards and housing accommodations. Quite simply, he was a benevolent fixture of the Tryon community and will be missed by all who knew him.

Wim also spent his entire life returning to the coastal town of Bay Head, New Jersey, where his maternal grandparents built a home in the early 1900s. There, he enjoyed time with his children, grandchildren, and his beloved brother and sister-in-law, Deborah and John Woody of Parma, Michigan.

As much as Wim loved Tryon, he spent many years on the move working at NASCAR races with his brother for Competition Tire. He was well-respected by the crews and relished in the physical labor as much as the time after-hours. Recently, he parlayed his wanderlust into a fondness for cruising the Caribbean. He was always enthusiastic about what he would see, but more importantly, who he would encounter. With his humble and easy-going nature, Wim had a way with people, making them feel comfortable and at ease. He was friendly, welcoming, and good to the core.

On his best days, Wim could be found completing a difficult crossword puzzle, “working in the yard”, employing his chain saw, splitting the wood, quietly enjoying his surroundings, and sharing a drink with friends and family. He was a voracious reader, accidental environmentalist, vocal politicist, loyal friend, adoring grandfather, loving father, and all-around good person.

Wim was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law John and Deborah Woody; his children, Caroline and Stuart; daughter-in-law Kimberly Woody; and six grandchildren: Maddie, Grace, and Faye Williams; and Beau, Annie, and Augusta Woody. A service will be held at the Tryon Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 11 AM with a reception immediately to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lanier Library at thelanierlibrary.org.

Caroline Williams
Richmond, VA