OBITUARY: Joseph Auther “Woody” Woodard

Joseph “Woody” Woodard, age 74, passed away Friday, May 9, 2025. He was born in Dayton, OH to the late Walter and Cleo Woodard on October 19, 1950.

Woody was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he flew Cobra attack helicopters with the 361st Aviation Company, aka the Pink Panthers, supporting Special Ops in Vietnam. During his two tours, he was shot down three times. He served from 1969-1981 and was Honorably Discharged as a CWO3. Woody received many prestigious military medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with a V for Valor, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with a Silver Star), among others.

Following his military career, he joined the Metro Aviation family as an EMS helicopter pilot until his retirement in 2018. He was lead pilot at several bases including Tyler, TX; Las Vegas, NV; and Melbourne, FL during his 34-year career with them. He was the 2011 and 2013 Florida EMS Pilot of the Year and as the 2013 Florida EMS Association President he worked to implement statewide EMS helicopter safety procedures.

In his retirement, Woody participated in several podcasts and interviews pertaining to his military career. Woody is survived by his wife of 38 years, Julia (Porter); sons Michael (Kimberly) Woodard, and Andy (Emily) Woodard; grandchildren Haley, Liam, and Greyson Woodard; brother Lee (Gloria) Woodard; in-laws David (Brenda) Porter and Cindy Porter; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister-in-law: Nanzy Porter Stewart, and nephew: John Stewart, Jr. His family was always his first priority in life.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 10:00am on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Greenbrier, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.