John "Stoney" Willis Woolard was born on December 10, 1926 in Martin County. He was the fifth of five children to the late Mack and Mamie Keyes Woolard. He departed this life on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Roanoke Landing Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Plymouth, NC surrounded by family.

John attended public school in Martin County as a child. He was employed by Martin County Board of Education working at E.J. Hayes as a janitor until his retirement in 1989. He also enjoyed farming with his John Deere tractor until his health started declining. After pondering over his relationship with God he dedicated his life to Jehovah by water baptism on July 19, 2003 in Hampton, VA.

On April 4, 1949 he married Vina Mae Whitaker of Jamesville, NC who preceded him in death. John a loving and devoted father leaves to cherish his memories his children and their spouses: Marion Evan Manning (Willie)- Plymouth, NC., John Woolard, Jr. (Janice)- Raleigh, NC., Floyd Nelson Woolard (Jenny)- Jamesville, NC., Hallard Lamont Woolard (Elvanetta)- Jamesville, NC., Rudene Mitchell (LeVance)- Plymouth, NC., Alphonsa Allen Woolard (Priscilla)- Jamesville, NC., Vslerie Renee Moore (Kenneth, Jr.)-Williamston, NC., Lorraine Gray Ghee (Ricky)-Jamesville, NC., Deborah Gray Norfleet- Raleigh, NC; sisters- Lorraine Moore- Jamesville, NC., Blonnie James- Raleigh, NC., brother- James Wollard (Virginia)- Brooklyn, NY.; sister-in-laws- Joyce Whitaker- Williamston, NC., Rosemary Ingram (Maynard)-Staten Island, NY.; 22 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that he loved dearly.

Preceding him in death are son- Michael Anthony Gray, Sr., brothers- Ellis, Joe and William, sisters- Crystabelle, Ester and Dorothy.

Funeral services were 2:00PM Wednesday October 9, 2013 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, Plymouth with Brother LeVance Mitchell, officiating. Burial followed in Woolard Cemetery Uniontown Road Piney Woods.