[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING WILLIAM J. WOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 20, 2022

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, my wife Roxanne, the 
Wilson family, and I would like to express our condolences to the 
family of William J. Wood. He, his late wife, Nancy, and his daughter, 
Lou, have been greatly appreciated civic and business leaders of the 
Midlands of South Carolina. With Eastman Chemicals, Midlands Technical 
College, and Nephron Pharmaceuticals, the Kennedy Family has provided 
innumerable people with meaningful jobs. I am grateful to include in 
the Record his obituary in fond remembrance.

                            William J. Wood

                    (June 23, 1937-January 16, 2022)

                      Obituary of William J. Wood

       William Jerry Wood, of Lexington, passed away on Sunday, 
     January 16, 2022 at his home.
       The son of the late Oscar Benjamin and Faye Hooper Wood, 
     Mr. Wood was born in Commerce, GA, started his career at 
     Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, TN, and made Lexington 
     his home for more than a half century. He was a beloved 
     husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
       As a young man, Mr. Wood's family moved around Appalachia. 
     During this period, Mr. Wood's father was following his 
     calling to serve Baptist congregations around the region, as 
     a minister. His father also owned a dry cleaning business, in 
     which the entire family pitched in. At the age of 18, Mr. 
     Wood started his career at Eastman in Kingsport, TN, where 
     the family had settled.
       Mr. Wood devoted more than four decades in leadership and 
     management to Eastman Chemical Company. With the exception of 
     his family, Mr. Wood did not take more pride in anything than 
     his work. He left an indelible mark on the company and its 
     employees, many of whom continue to pass down the lessons 
     they learned working with Mr. Wood. He taught a Machine, 
     Tool, Technology class to local technical college students 
     for more than 15 years.
       The Midlands Technical College Life Skills Center is named 
     in honor of Mr. Wood. Since opening in 2014, the center has 
     helped Midlands Tech students prepare for life after school 
     by honing essential skills needed to start a career.
       The father of Lou Wood Kennedy, Mr. Wood embraced life in 
     the Midlands of South Carolina when he relocated his family 
     here, in 1965, as he continued to grow in management at 
     Eastman. Mr. Wood was active in community endeavors, such as 
     service organizations like the Lions Club, hobby-focused 
     clubs, such as the Antique Car Club of America South Carolina 
     Chapter, and in the Baptist church. His daughter, beaming 
     with pride, called Mr. Wood the greatest man she has ever 
     known, and he loved watching the role she plays in making her 
     own mark today on the community he chose as their family 
     home.
       Mr. Wood met his wife, Nancy Thomas Wood, as a teenager. 
     They dated as students at East Tennessee State University. 
     His father married the couple. Mr. and Mrs. Wood celebrated 
     61 years of marriage last year.
       Surviving Mr. Wood are his daughter, Lou Wood Kennedy of 
     Lexington (Bill); granddaughter, Xanna Bailey of Lexington 
     (Travis) and great-grandson, Lincoln Bailey. Mr. Wood is also 
     survived by Paul Wood (Mildred), Sarah Benson, Daniel Wood 
     (Cara), Rebecca (Chuck) and countless nieces, nephews, 
     cousins and friends. The family wants to say a special thank 
     you to Amya Bryant for the love and care she provided over 
     the last five months.

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