Howard “Harold” Woodward, 69, aka “Water Well Man,” born Feb.12, 1945, was tragically taken from us Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014.

A kind, hard-working man, well known in the Bogalusa community where he was raised, and a resident of the Pine/Sheridan area, where he was very well known for his kindness and many years of service he provided established in 1959 at the starting age of 14 alongside his father running “Woodward Well Service,” later taking over the “family business” renaming it as Mid-South Pump and Water Wells, drilling in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

He never met a stranger he didn’t joke or share a story with to gain a laugh and a smile to brighten another’s day. That fit his upbeat cheerful personality.

He is survived by his children, son Lance Harold Woodward and three daughters, Stacie Lynnette Woodward, Teesha (Randall) Kennedy and Amanda Woodward; grandchildren, Alexis Edwards, Miranda, Savannah, Randall and Dalton Kennedy, Saxton Busby and Gracie Hopgood; and one great-granddaughter, Ollie Lynn Kennedy. Surviving family members include a sister, Doris Flynn of Denham Springs, La,; and a brother, Wilton Woodward of Austin, Texas. He leaves behind a loyal friend and devoted worker, Darryl Dykes, who he placed under his wing, guided and loved as a son and who was his shadow, along with his faithful furry companions, his rat terrier dogs Suzie and Bandit, who you’d see on every job on the drilling rig.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carrie Easterling Woodward and Huey Woodward; a brother, Pastor Ralph Woodward; a stepson who he raised as his own and was his sidekick and future well driller he created, Dustin “Dusty” Stogner, who he has now joined in Heaven.

Memorial services were Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014 at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa. Visiting hours were from 3 to 6 p.m., with services beginning at 6 p.m. To view and sign the register, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.