Woodrow Lenual "Woody" Colyer, 81, of Jackson passed away Thursday, June 1, 2006, at the Monticello House in Jackson.

He was born Nov. 28, 1924, in McClure, Ill., son of Jesse "J.A." and Jenny Murphy Colyer. He and Ruth Dockins were married June 16, 1946, at Burfordville.

Colyer was a graduate of McClure High School and had served as a seaman 1st class in the U.S. Navy from October 1944 through November 1945.

In 1946 he enrolled in the Bailey School of Technology and Engineering in St. Louis. After graduation from this school he went to work for the former Leimer Implement Co. in Jackson for several years. From 1955 to 1965 he was a co-owner of Colyer-Ruppel Motor Co. in Jackson and later in Cape Girardeau. From 1965 to 1987 he worked with the United States Chamber of Commerce traveling in Missouri and Illinois. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include his wife of almost 60 years; three sons, Brennan (Martha) Colyer of Farmington, N.M., Greg Colyer and Scott (Donna) Colyer of Jackson; six grandchildren, Lynda (Kyle) McLoughlin and Ellen Colyer of Farmington, N.M., and Phillip, Chelsie, Rachel and Melissa Colyer of Jackson; a great-granddaughter Layne McLoughlin; a brother, Marvin (Pat) Colyer of Houston, Mo.; three sisters, Alice Morse of Princeton, Ky., Reatha Fogarty of St. Louis, and Lois (Raymond) Burchyett of McClure.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Friends may call Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be Sunday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Carter Frey officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery, with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church in Jackson.