Sterling Alexander Wood Jr., was Born in Omaha, Nebraska then moved to The Villages, Florida.
Graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Agriculture. He joined the US Army in 1951 from which he retired as a full Colonel in 1982, and continued with the Army in the 143rd Transportation Command becoming its CXO. He was part of a military family which goes all the way back to the American Revolution. Included in his history: Confederate Gen. Sterling Alexander Martin Wood (his great-grandfather); US Army Gen. Sterling Alexander Wood (his father), and step-son US Army Capt. Erik W. Goetze. As a child his family moved frequently and he graduated from the U.S. Army High School in Frankfurt, Germany.
He married Shirley Geiger and they had three daughters Sharon, Sue, and Stacey. After 20+ years they divorced and about 10 years later, Sterling married Nancy Montgomery Goetze who has two daughters, Lisa and Lori, and son Erik. Other family members include Sharon’s husband John Smith and their children Jami and Brett, and Sue’s husband Bill.
Sterling and Nancy moved to The Villages in 1999. Sterling spent some years on the Board of The Villages Homeowners Association. During that time he worked with Helping Hands, as the Board liaison with local law enforcement and wrote the Veterans Corner column for the VHA Voice. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and loved attending re-enactments and participating in parades.
Sterling’s priorities were God, his family, and golf. He had a strong Christian faith and knew where he was going from here. He promised Nancy he would be waiting for her and she is going to hold him to that. His children, step-children, and grandchildren along with their loved ones feel exceptionally fortunate for his strong, loving presence in their lives.
Celebration of Life will be held Friday, November 3, 2017 10 a.m. at Hiers-Baxley Funeral & Cremation Life Event Center, 3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL 32162. Inurnment will be with honors at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
The family recommends memorials be given to The Villages Cornerstone Hospice
