Willard Austin Wood

Willard Austin Wood, 97, of Clarksburg, died on Monday morning, May 21, 2018, at Traditions of Chillicothe. He was born on June 30, 1920 in Ross County, the son of Charles Bailey and Rosa Oyer Wood. On August 21, 1941 he married the former Charlotte R. Briggs, who preceded him in death after 74 years of marriage on July 28, 2015.

Willard is survived by three children, Charles (Ann) Wood of Clarksburg, Patricia (Doug) Slusher of Columbus, Barbara (Jeff) Wood Salyers of Carroll OH, six grandchildren, Joel (Amy) Wood, Andy (Dawn) Wood, Katie Slusher, Nathan (Rupali) Slusher, Rebekah (Eric) Salyers Hess, Rachel Salyers, six great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Doris Briggs of Hilliard, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tom and Betty Briggs of Frankfort, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Beatrice Jefferis, and two brothers, Charles and Robert Wood.

Willard was a 1938 graduate of Frankfort High School. He worked his entire life as a farmer and served as a 4H advisor. He was a 50-year member of Clarksburg Grange, Ross County Farmers Club, and Ross County Farm Bureau. Willard was awarded the Ross County Conservation Award by the Ross County Soil and Water Association. He was honored as the oldest living member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Willard was a very active member of the Clarksburg United Methodist Church, and a former member and elder of the Frankfort Presbyterian Church where he also taught Sunday School.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at the Clarksburg United Methodist Church, with Willard’s daughter Pastor Barbara Salyers, Pastor Michael Wright, and Pastor Jerry Caddell officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Frankfort. Friends and family are invited to visit with the Wood family at the church on Thursday from 12pm until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to National Church Residences Hospice, 2335 North Bank Drive Columbus, OH 43220-5599 or Clarksburg United Methodist Church, PO Box 97, Clarksburg OH 43115.