Milton “Butch” Wood, 73, died peacefully in his sleep at home in Caddo, Okla., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.
Butch was born in DeQuincy on Feb. 5, 1949. He grew up in the Singer and DeQuincy areas with his parents, Betty Jean and Speedy Hammerly of Singer. He loved being outdoors, playing basketball in school, playing tennis in college and spending time with friends and family.
The family later moved to South Houston, Texas, where he attended high school. Beginning in 1967, he served three years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and was honorably discharged. After the Army, he attended and worked at San Jacinto Junior College in Pasadena, Texas, where he met his future wife, Alice.
Butch was employed by the City of Mineola, Texas, retiring after 25 years as Director of Wastewater Treatment in 2007. He earned his BB Water and Wastewater Licenses. He was an adjunct instructor for Texas Engineering Extension Service (“TEEX”, a division of Texas A&M University) for 22 years. Butch received dozens of awards in the Water and Wastewater industry, and Texas Water Utilities Association “TWUA”.
In addition, he served as president of several TWUA districts, and served as President of the Laboratory Analysts’ section and chapters for multiple terms, all while working for the City of Mineola. He was very active in East Texas Laboratory Analysts Association and helped to organize and create the group. Before teaching for TEEX, he was a part-time instructor for Texas Rural Water Association for 5 years.
Wood was the first manager of the Mineola Nature Preserve and was instrumental in the maintenance and care of the facilities.
Later in life, he played Santa Claus for The Noerr Programs/Cherry Hill at Broadway Square Mall in Tyler for several years. He played Santa for the City of Mineola numerous times at the annual Christmas parades and private events.
Butch was a volunteer Fireman for five years, Emergency Care Attendant and earned a PADI Certified rescue diver certification. He earned his Pyrotechnician’s License and shot fireworks shows for 10+ years for the City of Mineola and did private shows. In 1988, he was assistant coach of his son’s Senior Midget, “Mineola Tigers” baseball team and that year, the team earned third place in state championship.
From 1991-1998, he was Assistant Scout Master and Advancement Coach in Mineola’s Boy Scout Troop #385. Butch loved Bluegrass music in the 70s and 80s, and in the 1980s, had his own weekly Bluegrass radio show on KMOO Radio, Mineola. He was always involved in whatever his family wanted to do. Butch loved camping, fishing, woodworking and spending time with family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Betty Jean Hammerly of Singer, and Elvin “Speedy” Hammerly of Pasadena, Texas; and uncle James “Jimmy” Suchanek of DeQuincy.
Survivors include his sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Alice Wood, Caddo, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Colte McCorkle, Calera, Okla.; grandchildren, Phoebe McCorkle, Enoch McCorkle, Joni McCorkle, and Ari McCorkle (all long time former residents of Mineola); son and daughter-in-law, Josh and Leslie Wood, Appleby, Texas; grandchildren Alice Kite (Wood) and Henry Wood; stepson Clay Faulkner, Ben Wheeler, Texas, sister and brother-in-law, Jean Ann and Gerald Parrish, Pasadena, Texas; brother, Ronnie Hammerly of Hammond; aunt, Becky Suchanek, uncle and aunt, Dennis “Denny” and Anita Suchanek; cousins Cathy and Greg Marcantel, Connie and Jay McDonald and Edward Suchanek, all of DeQuincy; several nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, in Mineola, Texas at the Mineola Civic Center Dogwood Room, 1150 N. Newsome St.
(Paid Memorial)
