William V. Wood, 83, passed away March 16, 2026 at Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, NY.

Born in Dansville, NY, Bill and his family moved to Elmira, NY where he would attend South Side HS growing up connecting with lifelong friends and also his future bride. Throughout his school years Bill was a standout in both the classroom and athletic fields. He played many sports and often would participate in one sport to then run to another for a game. He lettered in several sports including basketball, football, track, tennis. He was an all-section and State player in several sports and was a Sporting News Football All-American his Senior year in HS in 1961.

Upon Graduation he attended Wyoming Seminary Prep school and then Lafayette College on a full-athletic scholarship, and would eventually transfer to receive his Bachelors Degree in History and Business in 1968 From Alfred University where he also was in ROTC. While he was in college he reunited with his wife Jill and were married after graduation in September of 1968.

Upon completion of college Bill served as a Captain in the United States Army until 1971 where he would spend time living in Germany with Jill. He completed several grades including Airborne Ranger, and working in the Persian missile unit for the US Army in Germany.

After briefly living in Camillus, NY, Bill, Jill and son Brett along with Anka- their beloved 1st dog (a German Shepard brought back from overseas) moved to settle and plant themselves in the wonderful community of Canandaigua. Throughout his time in the community Bill enjoyed 40 Dungan Street(except trimming the bushes which surrounded the corner lot) and cleaning up after Ashley, Mitchel and Morgan their beloved labs, #36 Boathouse, and would open up Bill and Jill’s Carpet showcase where he and his wife worked side by side until their full retirement. As a business owner he took pride in making people happy, making a good deal, and working with those around them.

Woody loved being involved in the community and was a writer for the Daily Messenger first writing on youth sports, then later covering the Canandaigua Racetrack stock car races, Watkins Glenn, and other events in town. He was an active member and held different positions at the Canandaigua Sportsmans Club which he became very passionate about shooting trap and skeet and then sporting clays and the development and the progress of the club.

In the winter Woody and Jill would retreat to the warmth of Florida and enjoyed visiting and hosting friends, day trips, the local sporting clays courses and relaxing in their “Candominium” in Holiday Park, North Port.

In 2017 Woody and Jill decided to downsize and move to Holiday Harbor where they enjoyed the canal view, cooking on the deck, fishing trips in the pontoon with the guys, amazing neighbors, and living the good life as time slowed down.

Bill is survived by his son Brett Christopher Wood of Livonia, NY and his sister Nancy O’Hare of Peekskill/Glencove NY.

Bill is predeceased by his wife Barbara Jill Wood; parents Robert & Dorothy Wood; and his brother

Robert (Ted) Wood.

Services, remembrances and the burial are being planned for late May, early June.

To share a memory or express condolences online, please visit www.fullerfh.com.