Clyde Leroy "Lee" Woods

Clyde Leroy "Lee" Woods passed away surrounded by love and faith, leaving behind a legacy of devotion to family, service, and community.

Lee was born in Wayne, Michigan, and graduated from Allen Park High School in 1956. Shortly after graduating, he began what would become a remarkable 45-year career at Ford Motor Company, starting in 1956 and retiring in 2001. His dedication to hard work and loyalty was a defining part of who he was.

In 1956, Lee took a leave from Ford to serve his country in the United States Army, serving from 1956 to 1958. During his service, he was stationed in Germany—at the same time Elvis Presley was there though Lee always joked that he never actually saw him.

Lee was married to the love of his life, Cheryl Woods, for 50 years, from 1975 to 2025. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and generosity. He was the proud father of five children: Monica Woods; Jeff Woods (married to the late Marsha Woods) and their son Timmy; Brett Woods; Renee El-Awad and her husband Chad El-Awad, and their children Ariana, Mikael and Isabella; and Lindsay Woods Simmons and her partner Dwayne Simmons, and their daughter Sania.

Lee is also survived by his brother Gerald Woods and his wife Linda Woods, along with many extended family members and dear friends.

For over 40 years, Lee and his family were devoted members of Christ the King Episcopal Church. Lee was deeply involved in church life-welcoming parishioners at the door, counting offerings, cooking at the annual chicken broils, and enthusiastically participating in road rallies. Friends fondly remember how Lee could receive a single clue during a rally and immediately knew exactly where to go.

Service to others was central to Lee's faith. Along with his wife and children, he regularly volunteered at a downtown soup kitchen, where Lee was one of the chefs preparing large pots of soup. This ministry was something he and his family continued faithfully for many years.

Lee loved to travel. He made frequent trips to Tennessee while his parents were living, often visited his brother Gerald up north, and especially enjoyed traveling with Cheryl to Las Vegas a couple times a year. They also made many trips to Canada to play bingo and cherished annual family vacations to Siesta Key Florida, spending time together on the beach.

An avid sports fan, Lee loved the Detroit Lions and Red Wings, but his true passion was the Detroit Tigers. He bowled in a Ford league for over 40 years and also shared many years of bowling alongside his wife Cheryl.

Lee was known for his sharp wit, quick humor, and remarkable memory, even late into his life. He amazed family and friends with how many answers he knew on shows like Jeopardy and Cash Cab. Most importantly, his faith remained strong—he knew all of his prayers by heart and recited them fully during services, including those at St. Stephen's. Though he attended only one service there, Lee knew immediately it was the church meant for him and Cheryl.

Lee will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, faithful servant, and a man whose kindness, humor, and steady presence enriched the lives of all who knew him.