William "Bill" Woodward

William Robert Woodward was born September 26, 1930 to Ralph and Ella Woodward of St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Monroe High School and shortly thereafter, married his sweetheart, Mary Ytzen. Their marriage of 55 years was an inspiration to all. Bill retired from Ecolab after 35 years and continued his love of learning by attending community college to update his computer skills. When he decided to offically retire from the work forece, he still found lots of interests to keep himself occupied. At one time, he amassed an amazing array of roses, including up to 100 rosebushes at a time. The house and motorhome were fragrant and colorful. When the kids were young, weekends were spent camping and boating, with the car rarely ever being totally unpacked from one week to the next. Square dancing was a favorite social event for Bill and Mary. Gardening, his new Spider MC, his scooter, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and his new hobby collecting collectible cars to pass on to his grandchildren were some of his favorite intersts. Bill fought his cancer with the same intensity that he lived his life, always looking forward, searching for ways to try something new and more effective, never giving up or giving in. What a trerrific father and friend. We will miss him! Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Mary. He is survived by his son, William J. Woodward; daughters, Sally Grannes and husband, Steven and Sharon Halvorson and husband, Bill; grandchildren, Derek, Blake, Sarah, Emily, Jeffrey, Daniel, Joshua, Aaron and Anna; great grandchildren, Vincent, Taryn and Megan; sisters, Ellanor Anderson and Donna (Michael) Pream; other relatives and many friends. Visitation 6-9 PM Wednesday, October 1st at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Drive SW, Forest Lake. Memorial Service 11 AM Thursday, October 2nd at Elim Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Trail North, Scandia with visitation at 10 AM. Interment Elim Lutheran Cemetery.