Roger "Woodie" Wilson, Jr.

Shoreview native, 78, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 23, 2025,@ The Pillars Hospice in Oakdale, MN.

The eldest of eight siblings, Woodie was born in 1947. He graduated from Hill High School in Maplewood in 1965. He married Diane Ganfield in 1968, and they had three children together. Diane passed away in 1981 from cancer. He married Cathe Thompson in 1983. They were married for 41 years. He owned his own company White Fabric/Halanco Coat, and was a proud member of the Army National Guard. In retirement, he loved driving school bus.

Woodie was adored by many for his clever charm and open, inviting personality. He was a twinkle-eyed "includer" who wholly embraced a more-the-merrier approach to most of life's events, but specifically for his beloved hobbies, golf, boating, cards and snowmobiling. His warm smile and jokes were a constant staple, as was his wry, witty commentary. In short, he was a much loved and cherished husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His loss is painful, but we are comforted that he is at peace after years of struggling from symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

He is preceded in death by parents, Roger Sr. and Lorraine Wilson, wife Diane and brothers, Patrick and Mitchell. He is survived by his daughters, Shawn (Matt) Kroger and Kelly (Dave) Lawry; son Ryan (Marie); brothers, Gregg (Debbie), Jeff (Maggie) and Mark (Pam) Wilson; sisters, Shelly (Tom) Casey and Colleen (Tim) Doolittle; grandchildren Justin and Jenna Lawry and Logan Wilson; and many adoring nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Celebration of Life and Irish wake will be 3 p.m. Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 4600 Greenhaven Dr., White Bear Lake, MN 55127. Friends and loved ones may gather from 3 p.m to 6 p.m.