Woodrow (Woody) Thomas Wilson, Jr., 75, Green Bay, passed away on Aug. 25, 2018, after a four-year battle with cancer. He was born on Sept. 2, 1942, in Elkhorn, to Woodrow and Gertrude (Baassler) Wilson.
On August 20, 2000, he married Joanne Jamison in Green Bay. She survives. He is also survived by sons: Jeff (Glendale) and Bryan (Milwaukee); daughter AnnMarie (Luis) Gonzalez (Crystal, MN); mother, Gertrude, (Palmyra); sisters: Sally (Pierre) Biron (Aix-en-Provence, France), Barbara Tutton and Connie Wilson (Palmyra); and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Woodrow T. Wilson, Sr. and a sister, Jilene.
Woody was a 1960 graduate of Palmyra High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree (History/Social Studies Education) from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Masters Degree (Physical Education) from South Dakota State University. His teaching and basketball coaching career started at Clifton Central School District in Clifton, Ill., then Salem School District, Monticello High School and Sparta High School. He then became an assistant coach at University of Evansville (Ind.), University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and the last 12 years at St. Norbert College. In addition, he directed the Hoosier School of Basketball for 39 years. For 55 years, Woody has been teaching life lessons and the fundamentals of basketball to young people in an effort to “just help kids get better.”
He was a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In 1985, he was elected president of the Wisconsin High School Basketball Coaches Association. In 1999, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was the recipient of the Lee Remmel Sports Award for Superior Achievement.
Family and friends may visit at Palmyra United Methodist Church, 122 North Fifth St., Palmyra, on Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon. The funeral service will follow with Pastor Norman Bude officiating. Ryan Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds are being established in Woody’s name.
Please know how much all the notes, phone calls and visits over the last months brightened Coach’s days and made this journey easier. Heartfelt thanks to the doctors and all the staff of The Cancer Team of Bellin Health and Unity Hospice Services.
