On May 29, James “Woody” Woodward, 61, passed away peacefully at Capital Hospice after a vigilant fight against cancer. Woodward was the Director of the Teamsters Building Material and Construction Trade Department.

He began a long and distinguished career as a Teamster in January 1973. During more than 35 years as a Teamster, he served as Trustee for Local 639; as Business Agent and Recording Secretary for Local 639; and International Representative for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. While at Local 639 in Washington, D.C., he represented the construction industry, the trade show industry and other various industries. He also served as Trustee for the Health and Pension Trust and as a delegate to six International Conventions from 1981 to 2001.

“Woody was a great Teamster who never stopped working on behalf of the members,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “He dedicated his life to lifting hard-working Americans out of poverty and helped make the world a better place for us all.  He was a caring, determined and selfless man.”

“Woody was a good friend and one of the greatest and most dedicated Teamsters I’ve met in my 32 years as a Building Material and Construction Trade Teamster,” said Marion Davis Jr., the new Director of the Building Material and Construction Trade Division.

Woodward is survived by his wife, Debra Woodward, and his children, James “Pete” Woodward and Nicole Woodward Felise.

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