Elysburg - William (Bill) Woodruff, 70, of Elysburg, PA, passed away on May 12, 2026, at home surrounded by his wife, Karen, and his loving family.

Bill was born on July 10, 1955, the eldest son of Frederick and Joan Woodruff. He graduated from Southern Columbia Area High School and went on to graduate from Williamsport Area Community College.

Bill met his wife, Karen, while roller skating in the Berwick area, and they enjoyed 46 years of marriage, which was enhanced by his deep appreciation of her baking and cooking skills. And it was well known that Bill could not resist a tasty-freeze vanilla ice cream cone.

Bill showed his deep love and devotion to his wife and four children through his hard work and financial provision. He was passionate about the coal industry and worked for Blaschak Coal Company for many years. In addition, he was also employed and enjoyed working at Knoebel's Amusement Park for many summer seasons.

To describe Bill as a proud and devoted father and grandfather would be an understatement. To most people, he appeared to be a simple, quiet, and reserved man, but his family enjoyed his sense of humor, which often consisted of quick-witted one-liners that would often leave those in attendance both shocked and bursting with laughter.

Despite his long workdays, Bill would always attend his children's sporting events. Later in life, as a grandfather, he found immense joy in attending Tyler's hockey games, Emma's dance recitals, watching holiday movies with Ender, Arrow, Revere, Wilder, and Ledger, and introducing Anthony to fun food and fantasy at Knoebels Grove. His quiet, but thoroughly positive outlook on life left a lasting imprint on both his children and grandchildren, which will continue into future generations.

Along with being a skilled heavy machine operator and mechanic, Bill was also a carpenter. Some of his most memorable, lovingly hand-crafted projects were essential gifts for his young children: a bassinet, a toddler bed, and bunk beds. After his children got older, he was the family mechanic, working on and maintaining all of the family vehicles.

Bill was a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts and traveled the eastern portion of the United States visiting amusement parks. After his children grew up, moved away, and blessed him with grandchildren, he splurged on providing family vacations to his favorite amusement park: Walt Disney World. He thoroughly loved visiting there with his extended family.

Bill gave his life to Jesus Christ as a child. Although he didn't speak of his deep faith often, he knew the Bible well, a skill to which he credited his Sunday School teacher at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Elysburg, PA.

The Woodruff family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice staff at Geisinger Medical Center, as well as to his caregivers, Mary Jane and Tonya, for the compassionate care and kindness they provided to him.

Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Karen Woodruff; four children, Melissa Woodruff-Cook of Elysburg, Alicia Tompkins and husband, Lawrence of Montrose, PA, Douglas Woodruff and wife Shannon McAteer of Queenstown, MD, and Jeffrey Woodruff and fiancé, Naomi Romanelli of Raleigh, NC; eight grandchildren: Tyler Cook, Emma Tompkins, Ender, Arrow, Revere, Wilder and Ledger McAteer and Anthony Romanelli; a brother, Gary Woodruff and wife, Cindy; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and a brother, David John Woodruff.

Funeral services will be celebrated on May 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. in St. John's Lutheran Church, 59 High Rd, Danville, PA 17821, with Pastor Sarah Hershberger officiating. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Visitation will be held on May 22, 2026, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service in the Church. Arrangements are in care of C.J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 27 North Vine Street, Mount Carmel, C.J. Lucas IV, Supervisor. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com