Robert Lee Woodson, Jr.

R. L. Woodson, Jr., age 85, of Gatesville passed away Monday, May 12, 2014. There will be a private memorial service at a later date. R. L. Woodson, Jr. was born in the Ewing Community (now Ft. Hood) to Robert Lee “Rob” Woodson, Sr. and Pat Millaway Woodson. R. L. attended school in Ewing and graduated from Gatesville High School. He served in the Army during the Korean War where he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal in 1953 for attempting to save the life of a US pilot whose plane had crashed in a river near where he was stationed. Upon his discharge from the Army, he worked for the Ford Assembly Plant in Dallas. During that time he earned his private pilot’s license. R. L. moved back to Coryell County and spent the rest of his life ranching. He grazed cattle on Ft. Hood using the “WB” brand. He also owned a service station in Ft. Gates for many years. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his humor and his love of a good 84 game. R.L. was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Jo Woodson Byrom and her husband, J. C.; brother-in-law, Jim Voss; sisters-in-law, Janey Carpenter Woodson and June Smith Woodson. He is survived by two sisters, Marianne Voss of Belton and Virginia Fowler and husband, John of Gatesville; two brothers, Jack Woodson of Haughton, LA and Mike Woodson and wife, Trudy of Waco; and many nieces and nephews.