Woodrow Wilson Sneed

Woodrow Wilson ìWoodyî Sneed was described by his family and friends as a tough, hard working and loyal man who exhibited a strong character, a kind heart and a rough tongue. Woody was born premature at home on June 30, 1919 in rural Pawnee County near Terlton, Oklahoma. His family was told by the midwife who delivered him not to get too attached to him because as a blue baby his chances of survival where not very good. He was the son of Everett and Amanda (Axhelm) Sneed. He started school a year later than other children in the area due to being very small for his age. Woody attended Scrappin Ridge School, north of Mannford until the eight grade when his family moved to the Cleveland school district. He graduated from Cleveland High School in 1937. He attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater for a year in 1939, studying mechanical engineering. Upon completion of his education, Woody began working on a farm south of Mannford and then moved to an area near Boise, Idaho where he worked on a ranch irrigating Alfalfa. He then relocated to Salem, Illinois where he accepted employment as an automobile mechanic for Bob Wood Service Company, also driving a welding service truck where he did some arc and acetylene welding. He then accepted a job working in the oilfields of Illinois working for the Haliburton Compay. Woody was married to Marry Hill Lassister on March 9, 1943 in Boise, Idaho. Shortly after their marriage, Woody was inducted into the service of his county in the United States Army on January 7, 1944. Upon completion of boot camp, Woody received training in ordinance at Camp Roberts, California, parachute jump training in Fort Benning, Georgia, pilot pre-flight training at Maxwell Air Field, Alabama, pilot primary training at Camden, South Carolina and pilot basic training at Shaw Field, South Carolina. He trained as a pilot in the B-24 and B-17; flying twenty-two missions in the B-24 and an additional nine missions in the B-17, logging a total of 1024 flight hours. He flew bombing missions in support of ground troops in Europe, Normandy, Rhineland and Southern France. For his service as a Army Air Force Pilot, First Lieutenant Sneed received the Distinguished Flying Cross, a military decoration awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. He also was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four bronze service stars and an overseas service star. He then returned to the United States to Enid, Oklahoma where he served as a flight instructor until his honorable discharge on July 17, 1945. Upon completion of his military service, Woody and Mary moved to Russell, Kansas where he worked for City Services as a pumper. In 1948, they relocated to Cleveland, Oklahoma where Woody purchased a drilling rig and began a long career in the oil business; initially drilling wells throughout the area. He progressively developed his company to the operation of ten leases with over twenty wells. His hard work ethic and complete knowledge all aspects of the oil business included drilling and servicing wells led to him being sought after for his advice and expertise. Woody was still operating a pulling unit at the age of ninety. Woody loved flying, fishing and gardening; spending countless hours with his friend, Steve Petkoff trot lining on Keystone, providing catfish to many residents throughout the area. He was know for his tomato patch each year and giving them to neighbors and friends. He also loved brush hogging. Woody was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cleveland. Mary preceded him in death on January 9, 2011 after nearly sixty-eight years of marriage. In addition to his wife, Woody was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers Edgar, Gomer, Victor, Cecil, Ezra, Isaac, and Earl Sneed; and one sister, Mae Norwood. He is survived by his son, Steve Sneed, Cleveland, Oklahoma; two daughters, Sue and George Goza of Cleveland, Oklahoma and Celia and Wayne Clint Lawrence of Jennings, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Don Woody and Lena Lawrence of Houston, Texas, Jennifer Sneed of Brooklyn, New York, Daniel Lawrence of Chicago, Illinois, Lane and Chase Goza of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and two great-grandchildren, Austin and Trystan Lawrence of Houston, Texas. Following cremation Woody will be entombed at the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. A memorial and celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, June 27, 2013 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Gene Black officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Oklahoma Rescue Rangers, Cleveland, Oklahoma or the charity of your choice.