Kenneth Lamar Woodall

Kenneth Lamar Woodall, affectionately known as "Ken" or "Chief," passed away on April 20, 2023 at home in Indian Land, SC. Ken was the only child of Clarence and Elise Woodall, born February 3, 1947 in Easley, SC, where he was raised and graduated from Easley High School. Over his career, he was an automotive mechanic, financial services manager, and mortgage broker before retiring. Most who knew Ken could tell you he loved fast cars (especially Corvettes), dogs, and spending time on the beach. They will tell you he was a fantastic storyteller with an excellent sense of humor, regaling listeners with his experiences growing up on Arial Mill Hill, drag racing, and serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam era. He had a deep appetite for life, for everything from eating good food, to listening to good music and dancing (his version of) the Shag, to traveling to new places near and far. He could diagnose a car problem from the sound it made over the phone and would say whatever came to mind just to see how the listener would react. His favorite cartoon character was Donald Duck, partly because he felt they shared a certain "irascible" quality, partly because he enjoyed doing the impression. He was proud of his Cherokee heritage and enjoyed spending time in the Qualla Boundary, North Carolina, be it attending the July 4th Pow Wows with his family or wandering the hills in quiet appreciation. What fewer people may be aware of was his generosity in spirit. Aside from his lifelong donations to charities (even during his own times of financial distress) and his work in service to the community, he had a true connection to his fellow man, with a genuine gift for providing help and advice without diminishing the receiver's pride or expecting anything in return. He was of the firm belief that helping others should be done in private, if not outright secrecy-if you found out about his help, it was always from the one who benefited, never from him. Despite his readiness to give of himself, he was always humbled and grateful when others showed their affection for him and would recount even small kindnesses he had received years after. Ken faced his final days the same way he had many other challenges before: with quiet strength, courage, and grace. Ken was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Donna Woodall, his children, Ryan Woodall (Sara Woodall) and Laura-Caroline Woodall McLaine (Everett McLaine), and his grandchildren, Lillian Elise, Isla Brigit, and Benjamin Jasper. He was a member of Bates Lodge #189 AFM in Easley, SC and Hejaz Shriners. Services will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery (Columbia, SC). Visitors will assemble at the Administration Building at 1:30 pm, Friday, May 12th. In honor of his memory, donations can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Service Friday, May 12, 2023 2:00 PM Fort Jackson National Cemetery 4170 Percival Rd. Columbia SC 29229 United States