Celebrating the life of
Marion Avant Woodbury
February 23, 1923 - September 14, 2007
Marion A. Woodbury
SAVANNAH, GA- Marion A. Woodbury, age 84, died Friday, September 14, 2007, in Savannah, Georgia. The longtime resident of Summit, New Jersey was born in Wilmington, North Carolina and attended New Hanover High School where he was appointed Cadet Colonel and Commanding Officer of the ROTC. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army Combat Engineers and was sent to Stanford University to attend the ASTC, where he was named Cadet Colonel and Commanding Officer. He served in the Pacific as a Top Sergeant during World War II and received the Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat during the invasion of Cebu, The Philippines.
He attended the University of North Carolina and The Woodrow Wilson College of Law LLB where he was elected President of the graduating class.
He joined Chubb & Son, an insurance underwriter, in 1949. In 1957, he joined Bankers Fire & Marine Insurance Company in Birmingham, Alabama as executive vice-president and was elected president in 1958. He joined the Reinsurance Corp. of New York in 1959 and was elected executive vice-president in 1962 and president in 1965. He was also elected Chairman of the Board of United Reinsurance Corp. of New York, a company managed by “Reco”. In 1977, he received the “Good Scout” award from the Greater New York Council of Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the College of Insurance and Chairman of the Finance Committee from 1970 – 1975. He served as director of the Reinsurance Corp. of New York, The United Reinsurance Corp. of New York, the Piedmont Management Company, the Navigators Insurance Company of New York, the Piedmont Life Insurance Company and the Pahola Insurance Group of Atlanta. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York Reinsurance Corp., Ltd., London, England and the New York Reinsurance Corp., S.A., Brussels, Belgium. His biography appeared in Who’s Who in Insurance, Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. He was a governor of the Wall Street Club, New York, New York and a member of the Admissions Committee. He was a member of the Beacon Hill Club, Canoe Brook Country Club, The Baltusral Golf Club, The United States Senior Golf Association, The Oglethorpe Club, The Landings Club and a former director of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, the former Alice Battey Bryson; sons, William Sheldon Woodbury and wife LuAnn, New York, New York; Marion Avant Woodbury Jr., Atlanta, Georgia; Frank Sheffield Woodbury and wife Wendy, Murray Hill, New Jersey; Spencer Hunter Woodbury and wife Dianna, Danville, California; daughter, Alice Woodbury Peck and husband, Scott, Bashing Ridge, New Jersey; sisters, Mrs. George H. Currie and Mrs. William Taylor; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 11 a.m. in Bonaventure Cemetery.
FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com.
We were out of town and grieved to hear of his passing when we returned home. Remember lots of fun with Marion on the golf course.
- Ray Koeller, Savannah, GA
Dear Family, We employees at the Landings Club loved Mr. Woodbury very much. He was always so much fun to talk to, he was a class act and very witty. We'd see him coming and try to get his favorite table ready, even when we banned smoking, he would try to hide one under the table with a cup of water, we thought he was going to catch the tablecloth on fire. He loved his family and would tell us about you all. He loved Mrs. Woodbury and the cat. He was so worried when the cat ran off when first going to the Marshes. He will be missed by us all. You're very fortunate to have had such a special Dad and husband. Love Gale your Uncle Frank taught me Sunday school at Christ Church long ago.
- Gale Coolidge, savannah, GA
Dear Alice, He was one of my favorite people, loved and respected by all who knew him. Marion and I send our sympathies and condolence. God be with you and your wonderful family.
- Kenneth Johnson, Savannah, GA
Dear Frank Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
- The Bradshaws, Brooklyn, NY
Here's to fond memories of good golf,good meals and all good times..
- Bill and Jane Fuller, Savannah, GA
Marion Jr, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I feel your pain. If you need anything, you know I am here.....always. Staci Jerro
- Staci Jerro, Orange, CA
Marion was President of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity while attending UNC, Chapel Hill. A born leader of men. I always admired him and will miss his presence in life. My condolences to his wife and family.
- Ernest H. Graham, Wilmington, NC
We were out of town and grieved to hear of his passing when we returned home. Remember lots of fun with Marion on the golf course.
- Ray Koeller, Savannah, GA
Dear Family, We employees at the Landings Club loved Mr. Woodbury very much. He was always so much fun to talk to, he was a class act and very witty. We'd see him coming and try to get his favorite table ready, even when we banned smoking, he would try to hide one under the table with a cup of water, we thought he was going to catch the tablecloth on fire. He loved his family and would tell us about you all. He loved Mrs. Woodbury and the cat. He was so worried when the cat ran off when first going to the Marshes. He will be missed by us all. You're very fortunate to have had such a special Dad and husband. Love Gale your Uncle Frank taught me Sunday school at Christ Church long ago.
- Gale Coolidge, savannah, GA
Dear Alice, He was one of my favorite people, loved and respected by all who knew him. Marion and I send our sympathies and condolence. God be with you and your wonderful family.
- Kenneth Johnson, Savannah, GA
Dear Frank Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
- The Bradshaws, Brooklyn, NY
Here's to fond memories of good golf,good meals and all good times..
- Bill and Jane Fuller, Savannah, GA
Marion Jr, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I feel your pain. If you need anything, you know I am here.....always. Staci Jerro
- Staci Jerro, Orange, CA
Marion was President of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity while attending UNC, Chapel Hill. A born leader of men. I always admired him and will miss his presence in life. My condolences to his wife and family.
- Ernest H. Graham, Wilmington, NC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
