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Wayland “Bubba” Steve Woolard entered into eternal rest on December 13, 2023 at home surrounded by his family, after a valiant struggle with cancer for many years.

Steve leaves to cherish his memory his wife Donna Buck Woolard; daughter Dr. Lou Montana Rhodes and husband Charles, son Captain Ray Waters (PCSO) and wife Kyla; grandchildren Justin Montana and wife Layla, Luke and Taylor Waters; sisters Janice Hellickson and Gail Alligood; nephew Lew Hellickson and nieces Carla Mitchell (Keith) and Nancy Wallace (David) and many beloved cousins.

Steve was predeceased by his father and mother, Leamon H. Woolard and Callie W. Woolard.

Steve was a lifetime member of Beaver Dam Church of Christ. Visitation was held at Beaver Dam Church of Christ on Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral services were also held at Beaver Dam Church of Christ on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 2:00pm with burial at Pamlico Memorial Gardens with military honors. Pastors Tony Krantz and Bud Ball conducted the service.

Steve was a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam War serving aboard the destroyer USS Spear DD770 as a radarman. He continued to serve his country in the US Navy Reserve for a total of 25 years and 8 months of service. Steve was a lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans Association Branch 272, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 48, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6088, where he had served in the past as commander and quartermaster. He was a member of the Red Men’s Lodge Tau 18 having served as Sachem. Steve was a member of the Southern Dismal Wildlife Club and a former member of the Northern Dismal Wildlife Club. He was a lifetime member of the NRA. Steve retired from the US Postal Service after 37 years of service and remained a lifetime member of the Letter Carriers Association. After retirement Steve worked part-time for TEMC for approximately two years. He was an outdoorsman enjoying hunting and fishing.  His favorite activities revolved around his family, enjoying many cookouts and vacations together.  He loved the mountains of North Carolina and Ocracoke Island.

Pallbearers were his son Ray Waters, daughter Lou Montana-Rhodes, grandson Justin Montana, son-in-law Charles Rhodes, nieces Carla Mitchell and Nancy Wallace. Honorary pallbearers were Warren Taylor, David Lawrence Wallace, Phillip Waters, Danny Watson, Paul Cosentino, Donnie Woolard, Carey Woolard, Jerry Alligood, and Durwood Moore.

The family wishes to express their thanks for the compassionate care given by the many doctors, nurses and staff members that traveled this journey with Steve and his family. Dr. Richard Young, Dr. Inzerillo, Dr. Johathan Hamilton, Dr. Jerry Simpson, Dr. Sean Peach and the caregivers from ECU Health, Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, Health Pro and Gentiva. Our aide Melissa Valdez Leyva holds a special place of appreciation by the family.

The family will be at the home, 100 Blue Bird Lane, Washington, NC.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Beaver Dam Church of Christ, 5125 Hwy. 264 East, Washington, NC 27889, Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center, 1209 Brown Street, Washington, NC 27889, VFW Post 6088, P.O. Box 362, Washington, NC 27889 or the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Woolard family.