Byron Nelson Woodall

Monday, June 19, 2017

Byron Nelson Woodall, 79, husband, dad and dear friend to all, died peacefully on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Hendricks Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones.

Nelson was born on Nov. 14, 1937 in the family home in Wanamaker, Ind., to James Nicholas Woodall and Gladys Bernadine (Williamson). He moved, with his family, to Greencastle in February 1947 and called it home for the rest of his life.

He married his high school sweetheart, Liela Sue Woodall (Rowe), on June 21, 1959 in Indianapolis. They would have celebrated 58 years of marriage on Wednesday.

Nelson retired from IBM in 1991 after 30 years, but that didn't slow him down. In retirement he worked for John Deere, Vermeer and PCCS; however, Nelson's real enjoyment came from helping his friends and family, in whatever manner was needed. He was one of those rare people that could fix anything and was the man friends called on whenever they needed help ... and he was always there for them, regardless of time or place.

Nelson loved being outside and in his later years enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels that were in abundance around his home, always reminding his wife or daughter, "Don't forget to feed the birds."

He loved IU basketball and the Indianapolis Colts and would rarely miss a game. He was a man of few words, but when you heard "Thanks for the warning" or "Be good," you knew he loved you.

Nelson is survived by his beautiful and devoted wife, Sue, who gave new meaning to the phrase "in sickness and in health"; his children, Ron Woodall and wife Liz of Sherman Oaks, Calif., and LeeAnn Woodall of Greencastle; three loving grandchildren, Madison Woodall of Greencastle, and Levi and Nico Woodall of San Rafael, Calif.; brother Roy (Lee) Woodall and wife June of Greencastle; sisters Laverne Tincher and husband Clifford of Greencastle, Betty Kendall of Reelsville and Elsie Cline of Pflugerville, Texas; cousin Steve Woodall and wife Judy of Belleville, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all of which he loved so much.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Eleanor (Joy) Siegmund and brother James Arthur "Buddy," who died of scarlet fever in 1943 at the age of 10.

Nelson's viewing is at Bittles and Hurt in Greencastle on Tuesday, June 20 from 4-8 p.m. A memorial service will be on Wednesday, June 21 at 11 a.m. with burial to be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, check your oil in your car and the air pressure in your tires -- Nelson would have wanted that.