Errol Lee Wood, 98, passed away on August 11, 2023, at West River Health Services, Hettinger, ND. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 18 at Bismarck Funeral Home. The burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 12 noon.
Lee was born to George Arthur Wood and Myrtice Taylor Wood on July 29, 1925, in Fordville, ND. Siblings included Arnold Wood, Viola Johnson and Ralph Wood. As a young man Lee worked in the shipyards in the state of Washington. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in both Europe and the Pacific.
After the war he met Lila Howe, and they married on October 31, 1947. Their son, Terry, was born on October 12, 1950. Lee was a former member of the Grand Forks Police Department and the ND Highway Patrol. In 1957 the family moved to Bismarck where Lee worked for State Auto Insurance Co. as an adjuster and then as Agency Supervisor. Lee loved horses and was a member of the Bismarck Horse Club and the Bismarck Mounted Police Posse. The family took part in many trail rides and parades with the horse club. In the 1970’s the family moved to Steele, ND where Lee started his own Insurance Agency. He purchased land near Steele and raised and showed horses. One of his Quarter Horses, Long Sox, won many awards.
Lee continued to have an interest in law enforcement and in February 1984 he was appointed United States Marshal for the District of ND. He served in that position until his retirement in February 1994. Lee and Lila made their retirement home in Bismarck.
Lee passed his love of horses onto his granddaughter, Joelle, and enjoyed horseback riding with her. He also enjoyed fishing with Terry and grandson, Matt. Lee loved being a dad to Terry, grandfather to Matt and Joelle and great grandfather to Tanner, Lila, Miles and Taylor. In June 2022 he moved to Bowman, ND with Terry & Sally to be closer to family. He loved being able to be at all the family gatherings.
He was very proud of being a World War II Veteran and always wore his WWII Veterans cap wherever he went.
He is survived by his son, Terry (Sally) Wood, Bowman, ND, his Grandson Matt (Jaime) Wood, Rapid City, SD, his Granddaughter Joelle (Mathew) Fischer, Rhame, ND and Great Grandchildren, Tanner & Taylor Wood, and Lila and Miles Fischer and many nieces and nephews.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, George & Myrtice Wood, his brothers Arnold and Ralph Wood, sister Viola Johnson, his wife Lila Wood and his faithful canine companion Harley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the ND Veterans Cemetery or a charity of your choice.