William Michial Woolard

William Michial Woolard “Mike”, of South Boston, VA passed away at his home, surrounded by loved ones, on May 3, 2022. He was 77 years old. Mike was born in Washington DC on September 29, 1944 and raised in Durham (Bethesda), NC. He was the son of the late William Paul Woolard and the late Bessie Anna Allen Woolard. He was married to Joy Montgomery Woolard who survives.

Mike retired from Lasco Industries (Aquatics) as a long-haul driver in 2009 after 42 years. While employed he was inducted into the Truck Driving Hall of Fame in 1995 and recognized in 2005 as the first truck driver to achieve 4 million, accident-free miles.

He was a natural born athlete who mastered every sport he played from company softball to darts, and was a champion pool player, poker player, and bowler. His favorite pasttime was fishing; and he will forever be known as the “bass whisperer” on the lakes of California, the Hatchie Bottoms in western Tennessee, and, of course, the Banister River and Buggs Island. But his favorite fishin’ hole was Lake Conner, where he caught the Virginia state record, largemouth bass in 1986.

He was an avid reader, well-known by local librarians, and there wasn’t an author or subject matter that he couldn’t discuss. He was particularly knowledgeable about history, and frequented historical sites all over America. After moving to Virginia in 1986, he gave every visitor personal tours of Patrick Henry’s Red Hill, Appomattox Court House, and the Bedford D-Day Memorial.

He’s famous for advising everyone to “make memories”, and ensured that they did so. He made everything more interesting and more fun, because he was generous, caring, funny and lived a fascinating life, traveling almost every road in the United States.

He was a loving and gentle man, who survived childhood poverty and turmoil to become a provider for generations of friends and family members. He will be greatly missed by everyone lucky enough to have met him.

William Michial Woolard is survived by:

His Wife
Joy Montgomery Woolard of South Boston

Daughters
Tina Woolard Bunn of Durham, NC
Annette Woolard of South Boston

Step-sons

Thomas Gray and Margaret of Brownsville, TN
Michael Gray and Lori of North Port, FL

Grandchildren
April Gray King of Jackson, TN
Amanda Gray Patterson of Brownsville, TN
Adam Bunn and Kristen of Timberlake, NC
Ethan Gray of North Port, FL
Berkley Gray of Richmond, VA

Great Grandchildren
Jae Taylor Hughes, Baylor Gray Hughes, Chance Thomas Hughes, Cadence Rae Gray, Jaxon Patterson, Ohlen Phillips, and Lyla Gray

Beloved Grandcat
Miss Marble

***Preceded in death by***

Sisters
Venice Woolard Barbour and Ruth Woolard Fisher Chandler

Visitation will be held Monday, May 9, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. and at 2:00 P.M. a service of celebrating and sharing remembrances at Powell Funeral Home Chapel.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 10 at 2:00 P.M. at Red Hill Primitive Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in Coats, NC

For memorials, please consider Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, P.O. Box 1729, Halifax, VA 24558 or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com.

Arrangements are by: Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.

You may view the graveside service by clicking here.

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