William "Bill" Earl Woodson

William Earl Woodson (Bill) was born on May 3, 1945, and passed away on October 1, 2024, at the age of 79. He was loved and cherished as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He always stood up for the underdog and was never afraid to show kindness to those who needed it most. Bill was an accomplished and well-respected attorney, a community leader, and a passionate Sooner fan. He embodied the rare combination of someone grounded in the responsibilities of life while also embracing the secret to life: enjoying the things you love. Simply put—he treasured his family, spent quality time with his friends, and squeezed in a few moments for himself while keeping a firm grip on his remote control.

Bill was “Sooner born and Sooner bred” in Norman, Oklahoma. He was a graduate of Norman High School, Class of 1963. Right after high school, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was stationed at Fort Polk, LA. He always said this was both the worst and best decision of his young life. It was the worst because it was the hardest, most grueling thing he had ever experienced, but later he realized it taught him discipline and perseverance.

After his time in the Army, he returned to Norman to attend the University of Oklahoma. While at OU, he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, where he met many of his loyal, lifelong friends. He went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Central State University in 1968. He then began studying law at the University of Tulsa - College of Law, graduating in 1970 and being admitted to the Bar in 1971. He worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Tulsa until deciding to move back to Norman to open his own practice. Bill’s expertise was in Civil Trial Litigation, where he tirelessly fought for his clients’ rights. He believed everyone needed an advocate and was dedicated to getting them help. As his practice grew, he was thrilled to have his son-in-law, Kurt Goodwin, join him in his practice in 2008. Bill practiced law and worked very hard from 1971 until his sickness slowed him down in 2019, but continued to be a partner all the way until the end. 

While Bill was running his law practice, he also understood the importance of community involvement. He was a member of the U.S. District Court Northern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, Oklahoma Bar Association, Cleveland County Bar Association, and Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association, where he served on the Board of Directors. He was also a sustaining member of the American Trial Lawyers Association and a Fellow of the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. He served as President of the Cleveland County Bar Association from 1979 to 1980 and as Chairman of the Judicial Nominating Commission from 2005 to 2006. Bill also dedicated time to serving his community, being elected to the Norman City Council from 1974 to 1976. He was involved and served Norman and Oklahoma throughout his entire life.

In 1968, Bill married the love of his life, Rose Ann Haffey. They met on a blind date in 1967 and quickly fell for each other, leading to a whirlwind courtship that had them married just 10 months later. For 55 years, they were dedicated to each other for better or worse, in both sickness and health. They enjoyed their life and were always each other's best friend. Bill and Rose were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Natalie and April. They shared a faith in God and raised their children in this faith. They built an amazing life together where they enjoyed traveling with their girls and later their extended family. Creating memories was always a very important and invaluable part of Bill’s life. 

Bill’s grandchildren lit up his world. He loved spending time with them, especially hugging them. He loved watching them play sports, telling ghost stories, sharing his love for fishing and reminding them of the good ole days when he was younger and all the mischief he got into as a child. He never missed an opportunity to cheer on his grandchildren as they splashed around the pool in his backyard, or on the sidelines of a youth sporting event. When he couldn’t be there in person, he cherished the video highlights and always encouraged and praised their accomplishments. He indulged them in almost anything they asked for.

Most people who knew and loved him called him Bill, Woody, Dad or Pampi. He loved life and lived it fully with no regrets. He was a man's man and not afraid to be the life of the party. He loved his OU football and went to most of the games sitting on the 50 yard line, in seats his parents once occupied. He incorporated OU bowl games into the family vacations and took his kids to several games over the years. He was his happiest self when fishing, golfing, or hunting with his friends and family. He loved being active whether it was skiing, swimming, running a marathon, bowling, or beating his son-in-law in tennis. 

Later in life, his disease took away the ability to do these activities but he worked hard to overcome any obstacle in his way. After seven years of battling the limitations of his sickness, pulmonary fibrosis, he was blessed to be on the receiving end of a lung transplant. He persevered and fought to the end counting every day as a gift. 

Bill will be missed deeply by all who survive him. He was a blessing to each one of us. Survivors include his wife, Rose Woodson; his two daughters Natalie and her husband Kurt Goodwin, April and her husband John Witting; five grandchildren, Grace, Garrett and Grant Goodwin, Ruby and Hudson Witting; one brother, Jeff Woodson and his wife Anja; one sister Susie Friedman; and countless extended family as well. Bill’s memory will forever be held dear by his extended family, close friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Orville M. Woodson and Rhoda Slack Woodson as well as his grandsons, Jack William Goodwin (his name sake) and the twins, Nathan and Joshua Goodwin.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, October 15 at Mcfarlin United Methodist Church at 419 University Avenue. Burial after at IOOF cemetery. There will be a visitation on October 14 at 5-7pm.