William Lee Wood, Jr.

Colonel William Lee Wood, Jr., United States Air Force, Retired, 95, died September 7, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Mulberry Street United Methodist Church with the Reverend Tommy Mason officiating. Burial will at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Colonel Wood was a member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church. Born in Gadsden, Alabama, he was the son of the late William Lee Wood and the late Lois Martin Wood. He was a graduate of Lanier High School and Mercer University where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Following World War II, he earned another degree from Auburn University. Colonel Wood entered the military during World War II. He flew B17s during the war where he flew 54 missions in the European Theatre. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal and the Bronze Star. He was in charge of the missiles in North Dakota during the Cold War. He retired as a Colonel in 1970. He was predeceased by his son, Dr. John Parham Holmes III. Colonel Wood is survived by his wife of 55 years, Frances Bush Wood of Macon; daughter, Sarah "Sally" Smith (Crocker) of Macon; five grandchildren, John Parham Holmes IV (Laryessa) of Hixson, Tennessee, William Bruton Holmes (Anne) of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Elizabeth Winchester Heim (Luke) of Marietta, Georgia, Sarah Winchester Woods (Jason) of Savannah, Hunter Crocker Smith and his fiancee, Jessica Salter, of Macon; and cousins, Sherry and Burt Cloud of Atlanta. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory has charge of arrangements.