J. Troy Woodward

J. Troy Woodward, 92, died on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 in San Antonio. He was born in Pearsall on July 16, 1932 to James Hal Woodward and Flossie Juanita Kellar Woodward.

Troy is survived by Donna Grubb, sisters Sylvia Glazner and Jackie Graf, children Billy Hal Woodward (Patsy), Troyce Williams (R.D.), and Danny Woodward (Linda), grandchildren Krista Lynn Woodward, Wyndi Daily (Russell), Rustin Williams (Erika), and Amy Cosper (Michael), great-grandchildren Karissa, Kassandra, Isaiah, Kasiah, Keyanna, Caroline, Emberleigh, and Charlee, great-great grandchildren Daniel and Hope and numerous nieces and nephews.

He graduated valedictorian from Pearsall High School in 1950. He participated and excelled in all available sports (football, basketball, tennis, track and field, and baseball). During his senior year, he qualified for the Texas state track meet in the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash, and 440-yard relay, but was unable to compete after falling ill with the mumps just days before the event.

Troy was offered a full scholarship to Rice University, but instead attended and graduated summa cum laude in 1954, with an Agricultural Degree from Texas A&I, currently Texas A&M Kingsville.

During his time at Texas A&I, Troy joined ROTC. After graduation Troy was commissioned into the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Troy served in the US Army Signal Corp and was deployed from 1956-1957 to Germany with his wife, Edna Woodward (nee Compton) and eldest son, William (Billy) Hal Woodward. While in Germany Troy was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. After returning to the states, he served another ten years in the US Army Reserves.

Troy taught sixth grade at Pearsall ISD, assisted Mr. R.H. Sutton with high school Ag class, and drove a school bus. He started his cattle business with a few cows and calves which led to a larger operation of (three) feedlots in the Texas Panhandle, (five) 18-wheeler cattle trucks, multiple ranches and thousands of cattle. Troy remained active in buying and selling cattle until health issues eventually forced him to step away.

Troy’s favorite pastime was hunting. He collected many trophies and enjoyed reminiscing about his African safaris and hunts in New Zealand and numerous other U.S. states.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m. at the Pearsall Methodist Church, with a gathering after the service in the Fellowship Hall.