CHAMPAIGN, IL- George G. Woods, Jr., 84, of Champaign passed away Saturday, January 26, 2008 at his home.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. Rev. Michael Smith will officiate. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 P.M. Monday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be at Hugo Cemetery, Hugo, Illinois.

George was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on November 3, 1923, the son of George G. Woods, Sr. and Bernice Alma Burns Woods. He married Rosemary Albin on March 18, 1951 at the First United Methodist Church in Urbana. She survives. Also surviving is their daughter, Beverly (Dan) Woods Dingler of Pratville, Alabama. Three grandchildren, Carrie (Robert) Racicot of Chesterfield, Virginia, John (Crystal) Dingler of Dallas, Georgia and Amanda (Chris) Wade of Alabaster, Alabama, five great grandchildren, Jill and Sarah Racicot, Jacob and Luke Dingler and Jackson Wade; One sister, Marion H. Sutton and special nephew, Brian Sutton of Mahomet and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter, Jill Rene Dingler and a sister, Glenna Mulreany.

George enlisted in the Navy on January 25, 1943 graduating early from Champaign Central High School. He went for basic training to Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago. He was later assigned to Destroyer Escort 132 Robert E. Perry and went to South Hampton and Liverpool, England, Cardiff, Wales and La Harve, France in the English Channel. He came back to Charleston, South Carolina, Jacksonville, Florida, Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts and was honorably discharged March 21, 1946 with a rank of Torpedoman's mate 2nd Class. He retired in 1978 from the University of Illinois Physical Plant where he was a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic and was a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters local #149. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Urbana, The United Commercial Travelers and a former R.S.E.S. member.

He enjoyed winters in Florida, spending time with his family and friends, golf, the Illini, bingo, cards and garage sales.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 2004 Philo Rd., Urbana, 61802, or Carle Hospice, 206 A. W. Anthony Dr., Champaign, IL 61822. Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com