Mr. Willard W. âWoodyâ Shilts, Jr, 71, of Richmond, passed away on Tuesday, June 14 at Reid Health.
He was born in Wayne County, Indiana on October 25, 1944 to Willard W., Sr. and Mary Ann Revalee Shilts. He attended Jefferson High School in New Paris. He was united in marriage to Joyce Brantley on October 12, 1963 and was blessed with two sons and two daughters.
Woody was a faithful member of the Williamsburg Church of the Nazarene, where he performed many duties in the service of his Lord and the congregation, and was a recipient of the churchâs Distinguished Service Award. He enjoyed watching and supporting his childrenâs and grandchildrenâs activities in church, sports, band and 4-H and touched the lives of countless youth along the way. He coached numerous sports teams over the years including the Northeastern Elementary School 5th and 6th grade boys travel basketball teams. He was a School Pal at Randolph Southern Elementary School. His love of woodworking resulted in many unique gifts and heirlooms for friends and family. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and was a member of Motorcyclists For Jesus MC and the Gold Wing Riders Association. He was blessed to be a cancer survivor and remained active in Relay For Life right to the end. He was also a regular blood donor.
Woody will be missed by his wife of 52 years, Joyce; daughters, Nancy Frame-Butcher (Randy) and Amy Nicholson; sons, Will Shilts and Doug (Ellen) Shilts; grandchildren, Kent Shilts, Elizabeth Shilts, Reuben Frame, Samantha Frame, Jordyn Nicholson, Nilah White, Gustavo White, Sarah Butcher and Rosalie Butcher; great-grandson, Alexander Butcher; brother, David Shilts and several nieces & nephews.
Woody was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Mary Marlene Cordell and Linda Landis; and brother, Bill Shilts.
Pastor Stephen Deese will conduct a memorial ceremony at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 18 at the Williamsburg Church of the Nazarene, 8503 Pleasant Street, in Williamsburg.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, at the church.
Memorial contributions are encouraged to the Williamsburg Nazarene Church, PO Box 707, Williamsburg, IN 47393.