Willie "Hollywood" Woodard

            Mr. Willie Woodard, 78, of Youngstown passed away peacefully from Parkinson’s on Sunday morning, January 19, 2025 at his home with his family at his side.

            Mr. Woodard, affectionately known as “Hollywood”, was born February 24, 1946 in Helena, Arkansas a son of Hazzell and Mary Tolbert Woodard.  He was the second of three children all raised in Youngstown.  He was a 1964 graduate of East High School.  After graduating, he was drafted and served in the U. S. Army serving in Korea.  Willie had been employed at Republic Steel for 20 years until they closed.  He then was employed with WRTA for 25 years, retiring in 2011. 

            Willie accepted Christ as his Savior and attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  He coached little league football for UMCC (United Methodist Community Center); and played softball for SLY’S during his young adult life.  He enjoyed bowling, taking walks and could be seen all over Youngstown with his walking stick and his Walkman.  He was an avid watcher of TV Westerns, and enjoyed football.

            In 1970 he married the former Annie C. Burress of Youngstown, his wife of 54 years, who was by his side as he was called home to Glory.

            Willie leaves to cherish his beloved memory, and to celebrate his life and legacy, his wife, Annie; three children, Nathan (Danica), Marcus (Jhera) and David (Anna); five grandchildren, Marisol, Victor, Ray-Nathan, Jayna, and Olive.  He was blessed enough to touch and teach his great grandchildren, Nyla, Niko, Nyzir, and Kartier; his older brother, Hazzel (Ermania) Woodard, Jr; his younger sister, Thelma Saunders; nephews, Anthony Greene, Mark Greene, Justin Saunders, Seth Saunders and Taryn Stewart; nieces, Stacey Greene, Clarissa Woodard, Diane Clay and Sharron Stewart; and a host of other family and friends.

            Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Leroy Saunders.

            Visitation will be Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 827 Wilson Avenue, Youngstown.  A celebration of life service will follow at 11:00 a.m.  Rev. Jack W. Pettis will officiate.

Ministry of comfort and dignity entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.

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