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 The following obituary was written by Jon Barton, Will’s USNA classmate and close friend. This was published in Shipmate, the USNA Alumni magazine-March issue:
William Allison Wood ‘66
Captain William A. Wood, USN (Ret.) died peacefully at his home in Dunwoody, GA, of natural causes on 15 January 2024. He was 79 years old.
Will’s father had been an attack pilot in World War II, after which the family moved often. Will was active in their churches, loved God, loved the Navy, and loved playing sports. At his high school in Olney, IL, he lettered in football, tennis and track.
At the Naval Academy, Will excelled in academics and never lost his great sense of humor. He was very jovial, fun to be around, and popular with his 7th and 12th Company classmates.
Will’s Rickover interview was among the shortest on record (“Get out of here!”). He had an outstanding 25-year career, serving on four submarines, including engineering billets on James Monroe (SSBN-622) and engineering officer of Daniel Webster (SSBN-626). After getting his MBA at the University of Michigan, Will was executive officer of Plunger (SSN-595). He then served on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In July 1982, Will became Commanding officer of Silversides (SSN-679) for four years.
Will’s 51-year marriage to his loving and supportive wife, Catherine, began at Pearl Harbor, HI in 1972. They were very proud of their daughter, Dr. Susannah Wood, who is a professor at the University of Iowa.
Will retired from the Navy in 1991 and began a 25-year career in the power generation industry. He and Catherine were very active in their church, where Will was often an inspirational Sunday School teacher.
Will loved to play golf and was an excellent golfer with many close friends at their golf club.
Will and Catherine enjoyed quite a few cruises in the Caribbean, across the Atlantic and to the Holy Land with other classmates.
A memorial service for Will was held at Dunwoody (GA) Baptist Church, followed by Military honors and inurnment in the church columbarium on 19 January 2024.
Will is survived by his wife, Catherine; his daughter, Susannah; and his sister, Harriet Wood.
Thank you to Catherine Wood for sharing the above information with Alumni classmates and friends
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