William Joseph Woolard Jr.

Billy Joe was the son of the late William Joseph Woolard and the late Maxine Baynor Woolard Riddick. Billy Joe passed away from pneumonia, surrounded by family and knew his many friends were cheering him on in his fight. The support of Billy Joe’s buddies Ken, Billy, and baby sister-like cousin, Jakki, were critical to Billy Joe and his family during this very difficult and short period of time.

Billy Joe was known to many and by many nicknames: Billy Joe, Billy, NOW SON??? (with a Carolina draw), BILLY!!!!! (Chester’s favorite), Silly Uncle Billy, J Dubs, Barefoot Billy, Tin Cup to name a few.

Billy Joe is survived by his sister, Gigi Smith, her husband Mark, nieces Rachel Chung husband Danyl, their children Wesley and Miles, and Hollis Smith Barthlome husband Josh, aunts Judy and Jean and many cousins – all who will tell you that Billy Joe was everyone’s favorite.

Billy Joe was born on November 25, 1957 in Plymouth, North Carolina, with the family moving to the Windsor Woods section of Virginia Beach in 1965. There Billy Joe would meet his lifelong friend Billy Isaacs who has stood by him and with him through their ebbs and flows of life to this very day.

He attended Kellam High School, graduating in 1976, and was known for many things beyond his smile and kind heart, most notably his love for and ability to play the game of golf. Before leaving to attend Lake City Florida with a Scholarship in hand for Golf Course Operations, he was the State Junior Golf Champion in 1975.

Billy returned home to Virginia Beach, going on to work at Red Wing Lake Golf Course, then Deer Run, Duck Woods and Danville golf courses in many capacities after having successfully completed the PGA Business School.

In 1993, Billy Joe began a journey in the restaurant business working at the Upper Deck Restaurant for Chester Rodio. Having childhood memories of eating the best fried shrimp and crab cakes at his aunt and uncle’s restaurant, Alexanders on the Bay, he considered the Upper Deck to be a “good spot”.

Chester provided him all the training and education that one would need in the restaurant business. His new life at the beach afforded him hundreds of new friends, some of whom cross over into his prior golfing career, and even back to his small hometown of Plymouth, NC.

In 2011, after lifestyle changes, Billy’s journey would lead him back to golf - to Owls Creek and Hell’s Point where his reawakened but very old love of golf would again become part of his daily routine. He continued to conquer life’s many challenges. By 2019, he made a full recovery from Cancer, two new hips, and was then able to return back home to Redwing Lake Golf Course, where he was able to share his love for the game with others and where he continued to work until his passing.

Billy loved golf, biking, walking, swimming, and as he would say, “just spreading the love.”

Billy was a man of routine as evident by his practicing, teaching and playing golf. His daily routine was the same until his passing always being seen at Redwing Lake Golf Course, Virginia Beach National, and Heron Ridge, swimming at the Bow Creek, Princess Anne and Seatack Recreation Centers and circling back to the Beach ‘N Seafood Market at the Farmer’s Market for more seafood. His entire life was that of circling back and always being in a “GOOD SPOT” regardless of anything!

Billy cared for his entire family deeply, and his friends equally. He used the passing of his loved ones to give him strength and to help guide him through every day. His friends were his family and his friends were plentiful. He shared without hesitation or second thought, always wanting to pass it along. Billy would give the shirt off his back to a stranger and give away the last dollar in his pocket. He was beyond grateful for the experiences that he was afforded. He was a man of faith and was filled with gratitude and wisdom, which he always wanted to share with others. He was true to himself and did everything, especially golf, to the beat of his own drum.

The family and wants to express their thanks and gratitude to all those who allowed Billy Joe into their lives and loved him unconditionally. Their outpouring of stories, love, and support has been overwhelming and will always be remembered.

Words cannot truly express this loss. Billy Joe was a man who could never be forgotten.

The family and Billy Joe want to thank the many Health Care Professionals who came into his life, which gave him the opportunity to live his best life and to always be in a “GOOD SPOT”.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 4 pm at Red Wing Lake Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the BEGIN AGAIN FOUNDATION (https://www.beginagainfoundation.com/).