Woodie passed away on Friday, June 12th, 2020 at age 98. He is survived by the love of his life of 73 years, Helen; children, Sally (Bruce Sternberg) Woodmansee, Rory (Sheryl) Woodmansee, Drew (Jane) Woodmansee, Mary (Brian) Segnit; grandchildren, Zach Woodmansee, Maddy Weltler, Sylvia Woodmansee, Adele Woodmansee, Andrew and Alex Segnit, as well as 5 great-grandchildren.
Born and raised in Hartford, CT, Woodie was the second of four sons to Maurice and Agnes Woodmansee. He grew up through the Great Depression, did well in school and enjoyed baseball, music and singing as a youth. After HS he worked as a printer’s apprentice and then for Pratt & Whitney before entering the Army Air Corps in June 1942.
Woodie served his country proudly during WWII, trained as a B-17 bombardier and reaching the rank of lieutenant. In April 1944, his crew was assigned to the Eighth Air Force, 447th Bomb Group in Rattlesden, England, where he completed 18 flight missions including aerial support on D-Day. On his 19th mission, June 29, 1944, his plane was shot down on the return trip to base. Woodie parachuted from the plane, was captured and held as a POW for 10 months, liberated by General George Patton and the Third Army in April 1945.
In 1946, Woodie entered Syracuse University on the GI Bill, where he met and married Helen, both studying geology. Later, graduating with a MS degree, Woodie accepted employment with the US Federal Government where he spent his entire career working as a geologist. His work took his family to Wyoming, South Dakota, Australia, Colorado, Utah and Washington, DC before he and Helen retired to Central NY. Woodie and Helen spent many happy years together in retirement, restoring an 1850’s farmhouse near Skaneateles, NY and later relocating to Pittsford, NY to be closer to family.
Throughout his life, Woodie loved nothing more than spending time with Helen and his family. He enjoyed music and singing, watching sports (especially SU basketball), spending time in his country home, taking trips with Helen, sharing his WWII experiences with others, and caring for his cats. Woodie made many friends throughout his lifetime and was loved by many, especially his family. He will be dearly missed.
Those wishing to donate in Woodie’s memory can do so to either of the following organizations:
Comments
8 responses to “Woodmansee, Walter C. “Woodie””
Rest In Peace, Uncle Woodie. Thank you for everything- your service to your country and your amazing family.
So sorry for your loss Mary and Brian. Sounds like a rich and loving life. Will keep you in my prayers.
Our prayers and condolences at the loss of Mr. Woodmansee. May he rest in the Peace and Christ and may God bless the family he leaves behind.
Addio ad un eroe di questa Vostra Great Generation che i cieli ti siano sempre limpidi e azzurri, From Anzio, Italy?❤️???
Mr. Woodmansee was a great man and we so appreciated him visiting with and sharing his experiences with the middle school students in Skaneateles for many years. Best wishes to his family.
I’m so sorry to learn about Woodie’s passing. Art and I always enjoyed visiting with Woodie and Helen on Willowdale. He was such an interesting man. Our condolences to you all. Please give Helen our warmest regards. We think of her/them often. Please tell her that the primrose and Thelictrum she gave me many years ago are still going strong!
I’m so sorry to hear of Woodie’s passing. I have so many fond memories of visiting Woodie and Helen at their home on Willowdale. I first met Helen when I moved to Marietta, and then soon after met Woodie. They’re both such remarkable people – individually and as a couple. I loved hearing stories of their adventures together, how they met, their travels, the places they lived, about the gardens, about art, and Woodie’s WWII experiences. I know Woodie will be greatly missed by many. Please share my condolences with Helen, and let her know that I think of her often as I continue gardening and painting in Greenville South Carolina.❤️
Woodie and Helen were wonderful neighbors on Willowdale. Sincere sympathy to Helen!