Stan Watie Woodall Jr.

Stan Watie Woodall, Jr. passed away Saturday, April 3 at home. He spent 95 years on this planet making others laugh and feel immensely loved. A World War 2 veteran, Stan served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Susquehanna. He was a Fireman First Class and spent many years serving his country. Stan attended Haskell Indian Institute. He worked for Butler Manufacturing, General Motors and retired from the Blue Springs School District. Stan was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the First United Methodist Church. Stan was also a member of the VFW and played the drums in the marching band. It was at the VFW that he met Virginia, the love of his life. They married in January of 1958 and they were lucky to spend their 63 years of marriage adventuring together and raising their family. Their relationship was devoted and inspiring. You could witness them holding hands whenever they had the chance, and know it was real, honest love. Stan was somebody others wanted to be around. Neighborhood kids and friends were excited to find his garage door open so they could watch him do woodworking, tinkering or strumming the guitar. His other hobbies involved cheering on the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs. A storyteller at heart, he shared tales of his youth, and loved to gather family on Christmas Eve for a story and lighting of the tree. His stories even wound themselves into some of his grandchildren’s school papers. He was legendary and inspirational to all those around him. More than anything else, Stan is remembered for his kind-hearted teasing, funny sayings and charisma. Fondly teasing his grandkids about olives even led him to be known as Grandpa Goateyes. And all his children in his life were the lucky recipients of “ear bloops” whenever he was around. Left behind to cherish his memory and live out the life lessons he taught, are his beloved wife Virginia Woodall; sister Frances Coil; children, Margaret Quinn, Jon Woodall (all of Independence, MO) and Jeannie Nelson of Beaver Lake, AR; 11 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his fingertip, that either Grandma, a wolf or a monkey bit off. We’ll never be sure. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Crossroads Hospice of Independence. No services will be held at this time. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel (816) 252-7900)