SAN ANTONIO, TX – Major General Charles E. Woods, USAF (Ret), age 86, passed away on January 1, 2014.

Born in Conway, NC, he was commissioned into the Air Force in 1950 and received his pilot’s wings in 1951 from Vance AFB, Oklahoma.  Serving his country for more than 30 years in the Air Force, his worldwide assignments were many and varied.  He was a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours and over 100 combat missions over North Vietnam.  During his career, he was selected for the rare distinction as commander of three different Air Force Wings, including Vance Air Force Base (Enid, OK), Laughlin AFB (Del Rio, Texas), and Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB (Thailand).

Highly decorated, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legions of Merit, The Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Service Medals, 12 Air Medals, and many others. He completed his military career as Commander of all military commissaries, worldwide.

In 1981, the “Major General Charles E. Woods Perpetual Scholarship” at East Carolina University (his alma mater) was named in his honor.

Upon retirement he loved working in his workshop and was considered a master craftsman by friends and family.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruby of San Antonio; beloved sons, John Woods of Austin, TX and David and his wife Myra Woods of Edmond, OK as well as his cherished grandsons, J.D. Woods of Oklahoma City and Ian Woods of North Hollywood, CA.  Additionally, he is survived by his dear brother, Terry Woods and wife, Essie, of North Carolina and wonderful nephews and nieces in eastern North Carolina. He was especially thankful to Martha Veliz, a caring help to Charles and the family for many years.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

Donations may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice in his honor.

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com.