Death date: Apr 27, 2006
The Rev. Wilbur Charles Woodhams, former rector of Christ Church in Tacoma and of St. PaulÂ's Within-the-Walls in Rome, Italy, died April 27 in Gig Harbor. He would have been 89 on May 2.Rev. Woodhams, who was called Bill, was kn Read Obituary
Dearest Lynn,
I'm so sorry for you loss. It means so much to me that you shared the obit notes and other information. I never knew him, but almost feel as if I did. My heart will ache with all of the other hearts who knew and loved him and my heart aches for your grief. Hold on to the joy of the time you walked together.
Love,
Kathy
home email is
[email protected]##imported-begin##Kathy Moser##imported-end##
We didn't know Bill well, partly because we keep a low profile and partly because Bill was also quiet, unasuming, and (according to the Whittleseys) a hell of a fine person.
Our deepest sympathies.
Leonard & Jeannine Lukin##imported-begin##Leonard & Jeannie Lukin##imported-end##
Bill watched over our family from the early 70s to date and was a friend and mentor the likes of whom we are unlikely to cross again. He was instumental in so many areas of our lives, health, work, education, sport, philosophy, art, music, language. Today I wonder what my life would have been without Bill Woodhams. He will be deeply missed.##imported-begin##gregory lee##imported-end##
In all ways, for, and from, the blue bowl.##imported-begin##Jim & Karen Bodeen##imported-end##
Fr Woodhams was always special to me and my sister. He was our priest at Annie Wright and he drove us over the mountains to Yakima after we learned of our father's death. A very caring person, he will be deeply missed.##imported-begin##Kathy Parks George##imported-end##
Dear Lynn,
My Mother sent word of your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy. What an incredible soul Bill has! I'm sorry I never had the opportunity to know him.
Best wishes and love to you.
Respectfully,
David Pavolka (Peninsula High School)##imported-begin##David Pavolka##imported-end##
The end of an era##imported-begin##Jane Selby berni##imported-end##
I was confirmed by Father Woodhams with Bishop Bayne attending on June 7th, 1958. They both signed my prayer/hymnal book. My family would drive from Milton to Christ Church every Sunday plus our choir practices. My life has been guided by the lessons taught by Father Woodhams every Sunday. He taught about love and forgiveness. He taught about God's love for us all. I remember the blackboard he would bring out to explain his beliefs. This man shaped our lives and I will be forever grateful for having spent my childhood listening and learning from him. To his children, I know your pain after having lost my parents many years ago. To his wife, you have lost greatly. What a wonderful life you must have had. I love and remember the old church with the beautiful light coming through the windows. But most of all I remember Father Woodhams teaching love and for that I will always be grateful. I try to intill that same love in my children and grandchildren remembering what I was taught. Thank you and God Bless you all.##imported-begin##Jan Holmes Cook##imported-end##
I have the fondest and most vivid images and memories of Bill at Rocky Bay, even though I have just been there a few times with him and Lynn. Bill's wit and intelligence and sensitivity and awareness remain with me very keenly. I can still see him bending over the hearth to grill perfect steak florentine and gathering clams. The way he would arch his brow. And how when he felt some suffering in me his keen intelligence became all care and humility. I heard a therapist on the radio say the other day, "All unsolicited advice is disrespectful." I thought: Bill understood that humility instinctively, despite his own experience and wisdom. I felt like he really understood me even though our friendship was through Lynn. I am really grateful for him. And I will remember in my own prayer this loss for Lynn and the children and grandchildren and other family members and friends. It's the anniversary of my own mother's death today, and what a teaching a life and death can be. What a "cloud of witnesses."
Chris Lorenc##imported-begin##Chris Lorenc##imported-end##
The Schmitt family sends our condolences and remembers when the Reverend Mister Woodhams, whom we called “Mister WoodhamsÂâ€, came to Christ Church. We remember Sunday services where some of us served as acolytes. We remember the packed holiday services at Christmas and Easter but we also remember Amahl and the Night Visitors where he played Job and our dad, Lionel, played one of The Wise men and Pete played The Page. Although our Mother had become a Sunday School teacher, it was Mr. Woodhams who encouraged our Dad to become active in church activities and he became a Lay Reader and member of the vestry. We remember serving at weddings and baptisms where Mr. Woodhams created an atmosphere of dignity and elegance that enhanced each celebration.
We also remember YPF and field trips to St. Marks. We remember attending Mr. Woodhams as an acolyte at the Greek Orthodox Easter services. And we remember Sunday afternoons at Rocky Bay, although we, as kids, didnÂ’t appreciate the experience as much as we should have.
But most of all, we remember Mister Woodhams.
Rest in peace,
The Schmitt Family
Pete
Susie
Mike
Ron
Judy##imported-begin##Pete Schmitt##imported-end##
