Ralph W. Woodard Jr.

Published 5:05 pm Friday, August 26, 2022

Ralph W. Woodard Jr., 86, of Kill Devil Hills, N.C. died Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Born in Portsmouth on June 25, 1936, and raised in Suffolk, he was the son of the late Camille Dennis and Ralph W. Woodard Sr. Having served his country honorably in Vietnam and Korea, Ralph retired as a technical sergeant in the United States Air Force. After moving to Kill Devil Hills, N.C., Ralph became a respected contractor and home inspector. He built Southern Shores’ first PolySteel home and was a past president of the Outer Banks Homebuilders Association. He built over 300 homes from Hatteras to Carova Beach, N.C. Ralph enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, woodworking, and he loved attending home inspector continuing education in Burlington. He was the proud owner of an African Grey Parrot named Pete that has been passed on to his grandson. Born in 1982, Pete is 40 years old. 

Ralph is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Wakeley (Doug) of Kitty Hawk, N.C. and Yvonne Bason (Kent) of Virginia Beach; two sons, R. Winston Woodard III of Kill Devil Hills, N.C. and Earl McDowell “Mac” Woodard of Virginia Beach; 10 grandchildren, Elizabeth Kenan, Rachel Fucci, Benjamin Tillet-Wakeley, Stephen Harris, Evie Schneider, Woody Harris, Jonathan Tetterton, Jason Tetterton, Shelby Woodard, and Cayla Woodard; nine great-grandchildren. Also, surviving is a brother-in-law, Charles Browning of Suffolk and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Browning Woodard; and a daughter, Denise Harris. Inurnment will take place at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. To plant a tree in memory of Ralph or send flowers to the family, please visit TwifordFH.com/send-flowers.Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at TwifordFH.com.