Obituary of William Woodside, Jr.

William Winterbotham Woodside, Jr. passed away peacefully on December 1, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication to family and of service to others.

Born on April 11, 1939, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, Bill was the son of William Winterbotham Woodside and Helen Eloise Knox Woodside. He grew up in the Pittsburgh area with his younger siblings George and Ruth.

During his years at Edgewood High School, Bill enjoyed working in a local pharmacy making deliveries and as a lunch counter soda jerk. After graduating, he honorably served his country by enlisting in the Army reserves as a telephone pole linesman for the Army Signal Corp.

Driven by a passion for the sciences, Bill pursued a major in Biology at Bethany College. He furthered his academic journey by working as a teaching assistant in the Biology department, where his dedication and enthusiasm for education flourished. He worked as a naturalist and spent time hunting, fishing, and trapping, passions that would follow him throughout his life.  In September of 1962, Bill began his teaching career as a biology teacher at Summit High School in Summit, New Jersey.  As a classroom teacher, he developed a rapport with his students that encouraged them to always be the best people/students that they could be.  When not in the classroom, Bill operated his own animal control business as a way of helping members of the community.

He married Janice Jean Weisenbacher and, in May of 1964, welcomed his first son and namesake, William Winterbotham Woodside, III.  In 1969, Bill married the love of his life, Marilyn Ruth Hasselbauer. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Hugh Herman Woodside, born in May of 1973 and Robert Winterbotham Woodside, born in October of 1974.  They settled in Madison, NJ and quickly became active members of the community.

Bill touched the lives of many as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and teacher. His sense of humor left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was immensely proud of being a Boy Scout Leader of Troop 29 in Madison and he cherished that time as he shared his love of nature and his outdoor skills with troop members. He joined Overlook Masonic Lodge #163 in New Providence and took great pride in being a Mason for over 50 years, embodying its principles of fellowship, integrity, and service to his community. 

Bill found immense joy in RV travel with his wife, Marilyn. Their shared passion for exploration led them on countless memorable journeys, including repeated trips to the majestic landscapes of Alaska and to winters spent in the warmth of south Texas.

William Winterbotham Woodside, Jr. is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn and their three sons and their wives: William and Shawn Woodside, Hugh and Michelle Woodside and Robert and Laura Woodside. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy carried by seven grandchildren (Erin Dassie, Tabetha Jackson, Nevin Woodside, Zachary Woodside, Griffin Woodside, Ella Woodside, and Samuel Woodside), two great-granddaughters (Aria and Callie Dassie) and his sister Ruth McGregor. They will always cherish his memory and the invaluable life lessons he imparted.

Bill will be dearly missed but forever remembered by his family and all those whose life he touched. A celebration of Bill's life and legacy will be held at Falvo Funeral Home, 1295 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road, Webster, NY on December 16th with visitation at 1 PM and a memorial service at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at Shrinerschildrens.org.

May Bill’s soul rest in eternal peace.