Jan. 9, 1966 – Aug. 9, 2026 William Jeff Wooddell Jr., 60, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 9, 2026, surrounded by the love of his wife, daughters, sister and father. Will was diagnosed with ALS in 2024. He faced ALS with the same strength, courage, dignity, steadiness and humor he brought to all aspects of his life.

Will was born in Richmond, Virginia, on Jan. 9, 1966, and was raised in east Denver. He played football and graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs in 1984. Will went on to devote 34 years to public school education as a teacher, coach and administrator in Denver, Sheridan and Salida school districts. He served as principal of Salida Middle School for nine years before moving into central administration. The final four years of his career he served as assistant superintendent of Salida School District. He had a true passion for teaching, coaching and helping others succeed.

He cared about the students and people who worked alongside him. As a Salida Spartan, he loved announcing at football games and cheering for students from the sidelines. Will got the opportunity to spend his career doing what he loved most. We will remember Will for his humor, kindness and humility.

Above all, we will remember Will for the immeasurable love he had for his family, friends and community. In Will’s spare time, he loved fishing, hunting and cooking. He was a lifelong outdoorsman. Will is survived by his wife, Karry Wooddell; his daughters, Caroline and Natalie Wooddell; his sister, Nell Heisner; and his parents, Jeff Wooddell and Virginia Hawkins-Smith.

The family would like to give a big thank you to the team at Enhabit Hospice and the ALS medical team at UC Anschutz Hospital in Denver. His memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 14, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 7 Poncha Blvd. in Salida. Friends and family are invited to a reception afterward in Will’s honor from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Wooddells’ home. In lieu of food and flowers please make a donation to ALS.org.

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