WILLIAM L. "BILL" WOODS, age 83, of Hobart, passed away Monday, November 13, 2017 while surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Hobart on February 18, 1934 to the late Robert and Fleeta Woods.  Bill was a 1953 graduate of Hobart High School and then attended the College of the Pacific in Stockton, CA on a basketball scholarship.   He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Dorothy Melonashi, on August 2, 1953.   He joined the Hobart Police Department in 1957 where he served as Chief from 1976 until his retirement in 1983.  Bill then went on to be the Director of Police and Safety at IUN from 1984-1999.  He was involved in Pop Warner Football and Hobart Youth Basketball. Bill was charter member of the Indiana State Identification Assoc., lifetime member of the International Police Chief's Assoc., and a current member of the Hobart F.O.P. Lodge #121.  Bill was a past member of the following: International Campus Law Assoc., Lake County Police Chief's Council, and Police Chief's Assoc. of Indiana.   Bill was a faithful member of the Hobart First United Methodist Church.  He recently had the honor of serving as the Grand Marshall of the Hobart 4 ^th of July Parade in 2015. Bill loved fishing with his friends and family and cherished his grandchildren and great grandchildren and all of the time he spent with them.  He was a great man who was loved by many and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy; 3 children, Robert (Ann) , Chesterton, Jeffery (Maysam), Phoenix, and Kay (John) Chiabai, Hobart; 7 grandchildren, Dr. Michael (Morgan), Lakewood, CO, Brett (Michelle), Wilmington, MA, Scott Woods, Chicago, Sarah (Brian) Cafiero, Valparaiso, Regina Chiabai, Hobart, Hunter and Jake Woods, Phoenix; 6 great grandchildren, Landon, Harper, and Blake Woods, Wilmington, MA, Isabella and Emma Woods, Lakewood, CO, and Calla Cafiero, Valparaiso; sister, Cathern Sorrick; other loving family and dear friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Assoc. at LBDA.org, the Hobart Food Pantry, or the Hobart First United Methodist Church.

There will be a memorial visitation for Bill on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., Hobart.  A celebration of life will take place Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Hobart First United Methodist Church, 654 E. 4 ^th St., Hobart, with Rev. Rebecca L. Smith officiating.  There will be visitation prior to the service at the church from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.   Please call (219) 942-2109 or go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com .