Claud Wood "Woody" Williams

Woody was born in Daugherty, Oklahoma February 26, 1935, the only child of Claude Emmett Williams and Mary Jane Williams Pitts. He passed from this life on May 28, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-parents, Ruby Williams and Jack Pitts.

Woody moved to Fort Worth with his parents at the age of six. His parents were later divorced, and Woody remained in Fort Worth with his mother. In his youth, Woody studied tap dance and music, focusing primarily on the trumpet. He made frequent appearances with famous musicians such as Guy Lombardo, Russ Morgan and Harry James exhibiting his tap-dancing skills.

As a teenager Woody spent a four-year stint at Peacock Military Academy where he was active in sports and served as the official bugler. While at the academy he received many honors for his academic and military accomplishments and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Following a serious accident which resulted in the loss of his right leg below the knee, Woody joined his mother in Dallas where he graduated with honors from Highland Park High School in 1953.

Woody worked a short time for Square D Electric before joining Texas Instruments in 1956. At the time T.I. was in its formative years, located on Lemmon Avenue in Dallas. During his employment with T.I. Woody took a leave of absence to further his education. He completed his studies at Southern Methodist University where he earned his bachelor's degree in administration in 1969 and his M.B.A. in 1971 before returning to T.I.

During his career at T.I. Woody performed numerous activities and held a variety of positions, gaining experience and accepting more responsibility. He was often called on to write speeches and presentations for others in addition to his duties to write standards and procedures and publish a weekly newsletter. One of his major accomplishments while at T.I. was authoring a document which was published in the Encyclopedia of Management entitled "Texas Instruments: A Network of Innovation." He took administrative retirement for health reasons from T.I. in 1981.

While Woody was employed at T.I. he began to experience failing vision and was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa. That diagnosis meant that he would experience gradual decline in vision resulting in total blindness. While he was studying at S.M.U., Woody became interested in real estate and later obtained his Real Estate Broker's license. He actively pursued that endeavor on a part time basis while he worked full-time. Following his retirement, Woody continued his interest in real estate, primarily focusing on his passion for remodeling and decorating homes. In addition, he continued to focus on his writing and enjoying his first love, music. Woody leaves loving friends and no close relatives.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Lewisville and internment is at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas.