William M. Woody, 72, of Rapid City, died Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at the Monument Health Hospital.

He was born June 24, 1947 in San Francisco, CA to Daniel and Patricia (Devlin) Woody.  William was awarded the Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He grew up in La Puente, CA and out of high school, began working for Hughes Aircraft as a civilian contractor in Vietnam during the conflict. He had the opportunity to travel around the world and earned a Fine Arts Degree from the Sorbonne in Paris. While in Japan and then returning home to California, William started his pottery business, "The Potter's Wheel," and helped design kilns that revolutionized the industry. During this time, a piece of his art was placed in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. He attended Woodstock, playing guitar with "The Fuggs" on stage.

He seized the opportunity to be educated at California Baptist University, University of Jamestown, ND, and Cal Poly Pomona. Later in life, he met Sharon Casey, the mother of his first two children, Danielle and Michelle Woody.

William earned his Master's Degree in Education from California State University, Dominguez Hills and went on to teach elementary school in Compton and Lynwood, CA, serving thousands of children. He was committed to teaching about the experience of Indigineous People of the Americas, compassion for one another, and a passion to continue their learning beyond his classroom. During this time, he also cultivated a love for the ocean in his daughters and friends around him, while working for Huntington Marine.

William fell deeply in love with Cheryl Strachan and they married on June 18, 2000. He retired in 2010 and he and Cheryl moved to South Dakota in 2012. While in South Dakota, he expressed his appreciation of the wonder of his new home, always grateful for the changing seasons and beauty surrounding him. He continued his work as an educator and scientist, taking Hannah and Haley on fascinating adventures.

William loved being a master woodworking craftsmen.  He enjoyed playing the guitar and listening to folk rock and bluegrass. He was a true artist, that spun and wove intricate designs, as well as crafted beautiful parts for spinning wheels.

William is survived by his wife Cheryl, sons: Michael Gabriel and Kelly Bailey, and their daughters, Erie and Colorado; Jared August Bailey, who lives in Portland, Oregon; Wright Lawrence, Jr. and Sandra Bailey, who live in Holland, Netherlands; Joseph Ray and Caitlyn Bailey, who live in Billings, MT; and Martin Luke Bailey, who lives in Sioux Falls, SD; his daughters, Danielle Woody and grandson, Felix Loya, who live in San Ramon, CA; Michelle Woody, who lives in Long Beach, CA and Amadee May and Jason Safar, who live in Black Hawk, South Dakota.  He has 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild as well as his brother, Timothy and Linda Woody, who live in Lady Lake, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Joel Caleb Bailey.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home and an Ash Scattering at Sea will be held in the Summer of 2020 at Catalina Island.

A memorial has been established by the family.

Friends may sign his online guest register at www.osheimschmidt.com .