Orville Duane Woodford

MISSOULA ~ Orville Duane Woodford, 90, of Missoula, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at The Springs just three days after his birthday. He died from complications of congestive heart failure.

He was born on August 23, 1931 in Mansfield near Aberdeen, SD. He grew up on the family farm, attended high school in Aberdeen, attended South Dakota State College one year, and Southern State Teachers College one year. He served as a Sargent in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954. Orville married Sally Vensand and welcomed a son, Curtis, in 1952. They later divorced and he married Ethel Schmidt in 1957 and moved to Deadwood, SD. In 1960, they moved with their young sons to Missoula, where he worked as an auto mechanic for 93 Chrysler Plymouth. In 1974 he opened his own shop, Shull Motors, until 1988. He then opened Woody’s Auto Service which he operated for 14 years.

Orville was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church and served on several committees. He also belonged to the American Legion and was a former member of Missoula Area Partners. An outdoor enthusiast, Orville’s favorite past time was fishing and hunting. He spent many weekends roaming through the mountains, as well as tending his large vegetable garden. He was the patriarch of the family and their house on Saranac was the gathering place for holidays, dinners, and backyard BBQ’s.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 64 years, Ethel, Missoula; son, Brad (Jan), their children, Riley (Alisha) and their children, Zane, Raygen, and Cole (Patti Prison) , Kennewick, WA; daughter, Kathleen (Gus Chambers), Conrad and her children, Mariah Turnbull, Missoula, and Nick Turnbull, Navy; son Curtis (Barbara), their children, Jordan, Sally, Michael and families, Eugene, OR. Grandchildren, Roberta (Jeff Ryan), their children, Amber Nolze, Dylan, Savannah, Missoula; Racquel (Josh Fowler) daughter, Anna, Vaughn; Maria (Mitch Allen), their children, Darren, Arianna, Missoula; Miles Wayne Jr. (Hannah), their children Miles III, Ryleigh, Herald, CA. Along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Cecelia, brother, Donald, sister, Eleanor, and son, Miles.

Orville will be cremated and buried at Sunset Memorial Cemetery with a family graveside service.