John "JW" William Woolsey

John William “JW” Woolsey, age 77, of Sanford, NC, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Evansville, Indiana on February 27, 1945 to the late William Samuel "Bill" Woolsey and Eva Tinsley Woolsey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son William Samuel "Billy" Woolsey.

John was profoundly multi-faceted, a true man of all trades. He enjoyed learning and traveling and in his travels picked up a wide set of skills. John worked as a pipefitter,  a welder and various other mechanical jobs all over the country.

He enjoyed the outdoors and felt happiest on a lake with a fishing pole in his hands. He shared that love of enjoying the outdoors with his family. He was also an avid hunter and an incredibly skilled marksman. John also loved fast cars and motorcycles, he even raced them in his younger years.

However, his biggest passion was music, especially the blues, and he loved playing his guitars. He loved to share music with others. He could play a guitar for hours and never grow tired of it. He enjoyed teaching others the songs he knew and just sitting together playing.

John attended Lemon Springs Baptist Church and was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge Buffalo Chapter 172 in Sanford. He served our country in the United States Army National Guard and was a life-long God-fearing Republican.

John is survived by his wife, of 37 years, Wanda Woolsey; daughter Kathleen Woolsey-Jones and husband David of Sanford; sisters Judy Woolsey Thomas and husband Mike of Anderson, IN; Joyce Woolsey Goad and husband Mike of Muncie, IN; and two grandchildren, Hailey Jones Morgan and husband Jack of Garner and Willow Reese Jones of Sanford.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 4, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Lemon Springs Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM with Rev. Andy Foley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alpha-1 Foundation, at www.alpha1.org or 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134.

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