Mr. Benjamin Walter Wood Sr., 82, died at home in Jacksonville, FL , surrounded by his family on Wednesday, December 26, 2018.  He was born on October 4, 1936 in Cook County, Georgia to the late Thomas Daniel Wood and Sarah Whitehurst Wood.  After graduating from Cook County High School, Mr. Wood received scholastic and athletic scholarships from Valdosta State College.  There he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in 1959.  Following his passion for the outdoors, Mr. Wood began a lifelong career in the lumber industry starting with Langdale Lumber Company in Valdosta, Georgia.  Proven by his successes throughout the industry, Mr. Wood accepted a position in management with Union Camp Corporation in Folkston, Georgia.  Recognized for his progressive thinking, he was recruited by Gilman Paper Company in St. Marys, Georgia to develop a new building products division.  Mr. Wood retired from Gilman in 2000 as the Executive Vice President and General Manager.  As an avid sportsman, Mr.Wood enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and any sport that would allow him to be outdoors.  He possessed the qualities described as a loyal and honorable friend.  His magnetic personality and characteristics also provided him with an infinite amount of trusted and lifelong friends. Best said, he was a guy's guy and a friend's friend.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Susan Sanders Wood; his four children from a previous marriage and their spouses: Walt Wood of Tifton Georgia, Turner and Kathy Wood of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Greg and Sally Wood of Evans, Georgia, Jerry and Meg Wood Kopydlowski of Atlanta, Georgia and one step-daughter and her spouse, Dan and Carmen Bigelow of Jacksonville, Florida; nine grandchildren: Whitney Wood Gomez, Brandon, Ben, Charlie, Palmer, Bailey, and Katie Anne Wood, Henry Kopydlowski and Amelia Bigelow;  three great-grandchildren: Joaquin and Mariana Gomez and Savannah Wood; and one sister, Sally Wood Lovett of Adel, Georgia.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Dan, Neil and Frank Wood and a sister, Mary Jane Hayes.

Mr. Wood's family received friends on Friday evening, December 28, 2018 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Boone Funeral Home.  The funeral service took place at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Sparks United Methodist Church, 205 N. Goodman St., in Sparks, Georgia with Rev. John Harrington officiating and Mr. Greg Wood providing the eulogy.  Interment followed at the Sparks City Cemetery.  Shane Wood, Tommy Wood, Bill Wood, Marty Wood, Angela Johnston, Cindy Levi, Brad Hayes and Eric Hayes served as honorary pallbearers.  Renae Cassity played piano and Steve Meders sang "How Great Thou Art" and "The Old Rugged Cross;" the special musical selection "My Way" was also played at the service.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.boonefunerals.com .  --Boone Funeral Home has been entrusted with all arrangements for the Wood family.