Ralph Wagner Woolard, of Savoy, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Friday (June 17, 2016) at the age of 92 at his home.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Wilma Lee; his cherished sons, Wesley, Cary and Russell; and his brother, Reginald, Woodstock, Vt. He cherished his daughters-in-law, Evelien, Bonnie and Cindy, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Upon graduation from Alton High School, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with distinction throughout Europe during World War II. Ralph was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for service to the country of France during the war.
After the war, he turned down a scholarship to attend Sorbonne University in Paris to return to Illinois and attend Shurtleff College in Alton. There he met his soon-to-be wife, Wilma Lee Broughton, and together they continued to foster friendships with classmates to this day.
Ralph dedicated his career to teaching both in the classroom and through his many administrative positions in Central Illinois. Upon retirement, he taught classes at Bradley University in school law and later became director of marketing for Peoria Charter Coach Co.
While with Peoria Charter, Ralph and Wilma Lee traveled throughout the U.S. and presented travel programs to various organizations. Through their association with AFS (American Field Service) and Rotary Club, they hosted many foreign students in their homes, and Timo Laitinen and Lisbeth and Hali Muntwyler each became part of the Woolard family.
One of Ralph's great joys was to maintain these close relationships through trips he and Wilma Lee took abroad. Those relationships as well as many others will continue even with his passing.
Ralph's family would like to thank the many caregivers and friends who provided wonderful support during the past two years.
Ralph will be remembered as a teacher who touched thousands of lives both in and out of the classroom. Until his last days, he taught those around him that life is a gift and every day is important.
Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - Sunday, June 19, 2016
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Wilma Lee; his cherished sons, Wesley, Cary and Russell; and his brother, Reginald, Woodstock, Vt. He cherished his daughters-in-law, Evelien, Bonnie and Cindy, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Upon graduation from Alton High School, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with distinction throughout Europe during World War II. Ralph was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for service to the country of France during the war.
After the war, he turned down a scholarship to attend Sorbonne University in Paris to return to Illinois and attend Shurtleff College in Alton. There he met his soon-to-be wife, Wilma Lee Broughton, and together they continued to foster friendships with classmates to this day.
Ralph dedicated his career to teaching both in the classroom and through his many administrative positions in Central Illinois. Upon retirement, he taught classes at Bradley University in school law and later became director of marketing for Peoria Charter Coach Co.
While with Peoria Charter, Ralph and Wilma Lee traveled throughout the U.S. and presented travel programs to various organizations. Through their association with AFS (American Field Service) and Rotary Club, they hosted many foreign students in their homes, and Timo Laitinen and Lisbeth and Hali Muntwyler each became part of the Woolard family.
One of Ralph's great joys was to maintain these close relationships through trips he and Wilma Lee took abroad. Those relationships as well as many others will continue even with his passing.
Ralph's family would like to thank the many caregivers and friends who provided wonderful support during the past two years.
Ralph will be remembered as a teacher who touched thousands of lives both in and out of the classroom. Until his last days, he taught those around him that life is a gift and every day is important.
Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - Sunday, June 19, 2016
Ralph Wagner Woolard, of Savoy, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher, mentor and friend to many, passed away peacefully on Friday (June 17, 2016) at the age of 92 at his home.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Wilma Lee; his cherished sons, Wesley, Cary and Russell; and his brother, Reginald, Woodstock, Vt. He cherished his daughters-in-law, Evelien, Bonnie and Cindy, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Upon graduation from Alton High School, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with distinction throughout Europe during World War II. Ralph was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for service to the country of France during the war.
After the war, he turned down a scholarship to attend Sorbonne University in Paris to return to Illinois and attend Shurtleff College in Alton. There he met his soon-to-be wife, Wilma Lee Broughton, and together they continued to foster friendships with classmates to this day.
Ralph dedicated his career to teaching both in the classroom and through his many administrative positions in Central Illinois. Upon retirement, he taught classes at Bradley University in school law and later became director of marketing for Peoria Charter Coach Co.
While with Peoria Charter, Ralph and Wilma Lee traveled throughout the U.S. and presented travel programs to various organizations. Through their association with AFS (American Field Service) and Rotary Club, they hosted many foreign students in their homes, and Timo Laitinen and Lisbeth and Hali Muntwyler each became part of the Woolard family.
One of Ralph's great joys was to maintain these close relationships through trips he and Wilma Lee took abroad. Those relationships as well as many others will continue even with his passing.
Ralph's family would like to thank the many caregivers and friends who provided wonderful support during the past two years.
Ralph will be remembered as a teacher who touched thousands of lives both in and out of the classroom. Until his last days, he taught those around him that life is a gift and every day is important.
Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - Sunday, June 19, 2016
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Wilma Lee; his cherished sons, Wesley, Cary and Russell; and his brother, Reginald, Woodstock, Vt. He cherished his daughters-in-law, Evelien, Bonnie and Cindy, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Upon graduation from Alton High School, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with distinction throughout Europe during World War II. Ralph was recently awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal for service to the country of France during the war.
After the war, he turned down a scholarship to attend Sorbonne University in Paris to return to Illinois and attend Shurtleff College in Alton. There he met his soon-to-be wife, Wilma Lee Broughton, and together they continued to foster friendships with classmates to this day.
Ralph dedicated his career to teaching both in the classroom and through his many administrative positions in Central Illinois. Upon retirement, he taught classes at Bradley University in school law and later became director of marketing for Peoria Charter Coach Co.
While with Peoria Charter, Ralph and Wilma Lee traveled throughout the U.S. and presented travel programs to various organizations. Through their association with AFS (American Field Service) and Rotary Club, they hosted many foreign students in their homes, and Timo Laitinen and Lisbeth and Hali Muntwyler each became part of the Woolard family.
One of Ralph's great joys was to maintain these close relationships through trips he and Wilma Lee took abroad. Those relationships as well as many others will continue even with his passing.
Ralph's family would like to thank the many caregivers and friends who provided wonderful support during the past two years.
Ralph will be remembered as a teacher who touched thousands of lives both in and out of the classroom. Until his last days, he taught those around him that life is a gift and every day is important.
Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - Sunday, June 19, 2016
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