Richard Elliott Wooderson

Memorial Services for Richard Elliott "Woody" Wooderson, 87, of Owasso, were held Saturday, October 11, 2008 in the Johnson Funeral Chapel in Sperry, OK. Reverend Adam Stang and Jeff Condray officiated. Honorary Casketbearers were Harlin Wattenbarger, Jeff Condray, Vernon Portman, Dave Johnson, James Williams, Kermit Tuttle. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Richard was born April 1, 1921 in Kansas City, MO to Martha Ellen Wooderson-Wattenbarger. He passed away October 3, 2008 in Owasso, OK.

He was raised by his grandparents in Trenton, MO in a home full of 7 girls were he was the youngest. He met a beautiful soda jerk Dorothy L. Nicholson and was later married. They bought an 80 acre farm in Lawson, MO and at the age of 38 he had his first child. In 1963 the family moved to Liberty, MO. He worked for Williams Company and was transferred in 1967 to Tulsa, and established his home in Sperry. He joined the Air Force on July 8, 1942. He served active duty as a B24 and B25 flight engineer in the Western and Southern Pacific until Dec. 27, 1943 and finished as a Master Sergeant in Jan 31, 1945. He was called to the Air Reserve in Jan. 29, 1950 to April 14, 1953. During his active duty he was awarded 4 Bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with 2 OLC and numerous ribbons. He retired as a Corp. Pilot/ Mechanic for Williams Brothers Pipeline He loved spending time with his grandchildren, especially when they were young. His favorite time in life was after retirement when he moved to Langley, OK to live at the lake.

He is survived by his daughter; Robin Diann Wooderson Condray of Sperry; step-daughters, Nina Johnson of Trenton MO, Virginia Tuttle of Green City MO; grandchildren, Shawna Mitchell, Kelsey Condray, Debbie Allen, Jimmy Bingham, Scott Bingham, Danny Tuttle, Lisa Ellis, Diana Gashwiler, David Tuttle and many, many great and great-great-grandchildren; brother; Harlan Wattenbarger of Galt MO., and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.


He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Laverne Nicholson Wooderson; mother; Martha Ellen (Wooderson) Wattenbarger; grandparents, Thomas Edward Wooderson, Jemima Alice Stotts Wooderson; sister, Mary Portman; aunts, Ruth Hague, Mary Ellsworth, Lois Shepard, Elizabeth Estes, Kathleen Little, Marian Southers.

Online condolences can be made at johnsonfhsperry.com.