Celebrating the life of
Edward J. Woodhouse
February 21, 1923 - August 21, 2014
Edward John Woodhouse, 91, died on Thursday, August 21, 2014, at Savannah Square, after a lengthy decline in health. Ed was born in Brooklyn, New York to Albert John Woodhouse and Ruth W. Lippincott but called Savannah home since 1947 when he visited here with his good friend and future brother-in-law, J. Haynes Waters, Jr. When he met Haynes’ sister, Helen Waters, he never went back North. Helen and Ed were married in September, 1948, enrolled at the University of Georgia and graduated, and shared life for 61 years until Helen died in 2010. Ed’s Air Force career took them all over the United States and England.
Ed served extensively in World War II and Korea and often told stories of his war experiences. He was a top turret gunner/engineer in WWII who kept a pair of lucky yellow boots he picked up in Brazil, as well as a lucky K-ration of cheese. He flew at least 35 missions over occupied Europe, including a D-Day flight over Normandy and the first daylight bombing mission over Berlin. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and it was pinned on him by General Jimmy Doolittle, which was a highlight for Ed. After his wartime services, Ed worked at The Pentagon in computer logistics. When Ed retired as a Lt Col in the Air Force, he and Helen hurried back to Savannah.
Ed was a man of many interests and he pursued them all with great enthusiasm. He enjoyed his historic home on the Vernon River and did a lot of the renovation work himself. He delighted in sailing and sail boats and was an active member of The Geechee Sailing Club, having served as the Commodore at one time. He also was on the crew of the C&S Bank yacht, “The Flying Lady”, for 6 years. Ed was intrigued by computers from their beginning and wrote computer software programs. He loved jazz and 1940’s swing and dancing to his favorite tunes. Ed was an avid golfer. Beginning at the age of 77, he shot his age or better at least 100 times!
Ed did not have a large family himself but embraced Helen’s family as his own. He is survived by Helen’s sisters, Dot Courington and Nan Peacocke, and Helen’s brother, L.D. Waters, and many, many nieces and nephews, including Chris Walls, Tom Waters, Jim Waters and Dottie Courington in Savannah.
Graveside services at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 24th in the North Newington Baptist Church Cemetery. Because of the extreme heat, please don’t send flowers. Rather remembrances to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum are encouraged.
So sorry for your loss my deepest condolences to the family Jehovah gives us the strength to go on untile we see them again in a resurrection that Jehovah has promised mankind if we should fall asleep in death . Please read John 5: 28,29 it will give the family comfort.
- Cooper, Savannah, Ga
It was my great privilege to know Ed when he crewed on the Flying Lady after his retirement. I enjoyed his company, and our many discussions. He was a patriot and a wonderful human being. My wife joins me in expressing our deepest sympathy to his family. Archie H. Davis
- Archie H. Davis, Savannah, Ga
So sorry to hear of the loss of our good friend Ed. We shared many great times together with Ed and Helen, from good weekends on the water with the Geechee Sail Club to cookouts or just a night out for dinner and dancing. We will miss you Ed, as we already miss Helen.
- Bob & Sandy Flotow, Savannah, GA
We will miss you Uncle Ed.
- Gayle Dean, Brasstown, NC
Our condolences and saddened of Ed s death. As Mary and I knew ed and Helen With the geechee sail club. We always had good laughs and many cook outs at the Woodhouses. We will miss you Ed. God will have open arms at the gates of heaven.
- Dawkins family Larry and Mary , Savannah, Ga
We were saddened by the news of Eds death. He was a neighbor and good friend. We enjoyed being in the Geechee Sailing Club with Ed and Helen and spent many weekends on Sail Club Cruises to Wassaw, St. Catherine's and Blackbeard Islands. Our thoughts and prayers are with his and Helen's family during these difficult times.
- Anna and Lem Highsmith, Savannah, GA
So sorry for your loss my deepest condolences to the family Jehovah gives us the strength to go on untile we see them again in a resurrection that Jehovah has promised mankind if we should fall asleep in death . Please read John 5: 28,29 it will give the family comfort.
- Cooper, Savannah, Ga
It was my great privilege to know Ed when he crewed on the Flying Lady after his retirement. I enjoyed his company, and our many discussions. He was a patriot and a wonderful human being. My wife joins me in expressing our deepest sympathy to his family. Archie H. Davis
- Archie H. Davis, Savannah, Ga
So sorry to hear of the loss of our good friend Ed. We shared many great times together with Ed and Helen, from good weekends on the water with the Geechee Sail Club to cookouts or just a night out for dinner and dancing. We will miss you Ed, as we already miss Helen.
- Bob & Sandy Flotow, Savannah, GA
We will miss you Uncle Ed.
- Gayle Dean, Brasstown, NC
Our condolences and saddened of Ed s death. As Mary and I knew ed and Helen With the geechee sail club. We always had good laughs and many cook outs at the Woodhouses. We will miss you Ed. God will have open arms at the gates of heaven.
- Dawkins family Larry and Mary , Savannah, Ga
We were saddened by the news of Eds death. He was a neighbor and good friend. We enjoyed being in the Geechee Sailing Club with Ed and Helen and spent many weekends on Sail Club Cruises to Wassaw, St. Catherine's and Blackbeard Islands. Our thoughts and prayers are with his and Helen's family during these difficult times.
- Anna and Lem Highsmith, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
