Obituary of William Woodley Foreman

Elizabeth City, NC William Woodley ‘Woody’ Foreman, 85, retired businessman, died Tuesday morning in Albemarle Hospital. Woody was born on February 12, 1917 in Elizabeth City, NC and was the son of the late Annie Woodley and James Wesley Foreman. He graduated from Elizabeth City High School, where he excelled in all sports; serving as captain of the baseball, basketball and football teams his senior year. He is often said to be the most outstanding all-around athlete to have attended Elizabeth City High School. Following high school, Woody continued his education and pursuit of sports at Augusta Military Academy, Duke University and Poughkeepsie Business College. Woody married Dorothy Blair Thurman of Raleigh in 1941 and joined his father in the timber and livestock business. During World War II, he served in the U. S. Coast Guard, and thereafter operated Foreman Dairies Company. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and a founding member of the Elizabeth City Golf Club. Woody was president of several organizations including Museum of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City Rotary Club and United Way. In 1951, he received the Jaycees’ Distinguished Service Award and was recognized as a lifetime member of the College of the Albemarle Foundation. Woody served as a member of the Board of Directors of numerous corporations including Southern Loan and Insurance, Atlantic Discount Corporation., First Union National Bank and Norfolk Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company. Woody will be remembered for his sense of humor and wit, and his ever-present kindness and generosity. A caring father and devoted husband, Woody will be missed. Woody is survived by his three children, William Woodley Foreman, Jr. of Kitty Hawk, NC, Allan Charles Foreman of Manteo, NC, and Blair Foreman Jackson of Elizabeth City, NC; eight grandchildren, Brooke and Shea Foreman of Kitty Hawk, NC; Philip, Charles and Stuart Foreman of Manteo, NC; Jenny and Kate Jackson of Elizabeth City, NC and John Jackson of Newport Beach, CA; and devoted friends, Caldonia Overton and Louise Thompson of Elizabeth City, NC. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Camilla Foreman Daniels and Marion Cook Foreman and two brothers, James Wesley Foreman, Jr. and Norton Blades Foreman. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 8, 2002 at Christ Episcopal Church where his ashes will be interred alongside his beloved wife. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Albemarle United Way or the charity of one’s choice. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City, NC is in charge of arrangements. Twiford Funeral Home 252-335-4395 phone P. O. Drawer 405 252-335-4329 fax Elizabeth City, NC 27907-0405 November 5, 2002