Dr. W. Robert Wooldridge

Dr. W. Robert Wooldridge February 8, 1925 – September 4, 2005 Dr. W. Robert Wooldridge passed away Sunday morning, September 4, 2005 at his residence. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 8, 2005, at First Baptist Church of Waco with military burial at Oakwood Cemetery. Dr. John A. Wood and Dr. Peter McLeod officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2005 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Dr. Wooldridge was born February 8, 1925 in Altus, Oklahoma to Walter R. and Frances G. Taylor Wooldridge. He was a descendant of Mary Flournoy and William Wooldridge of Chesterfield County, Virginia circa 1640. Dr. Wooldridge married Jacquelyn Hollowell on November 28, 1956 in Waco, Texas. They were married for 48 ½ years. After graduating from Altus High School in 1942 he entered the United States Navy as a medical corpsman in World War II. He then entered Texas Christian University, graduating with a BS degree. He graduated in 1948 from Baylor University School of Dentistry with honors and entered the private practice of general dentistry in Waco, TX. He loved his profession and his dental colleagues for 57 years, never retiring. Dr. Wooldridge was recalled into military service in 1952 serving in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He returned to Waco in 1932 opening a medical clinic across from Providence Hospital with Drs. Ernest Johnson, William Gassler and William Gandy. Later Dr. William Watson bought the clinic. He was a fifty year member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association and the Central Texas Dental Society. Throughout his life he was very involved in the church and community. He was a charter member of Northwest Waco Rotary Club, Waco Gun Club, Greater Waco Beautification Association. He belonged to Baylor Heritage Club, Baylor Alumni Association, Historic Waco Foundation and East Terrace, Brazos Forum, Waco Model Railroad Club, Ducks Unlimited and Hedonia Club. He was a 50 year member of Karem Shrine Temple, Gurley Masonic Lodge and Sojourners. He belonged to the Reserved Officers Association, Republican Party of Texas, Waco Symphony Association and Military Order of World Wars. He served on the building committee of the Laura Edwards Christian Community Center in 1972. He was involved in the first Christmas Tree Lighting and the lighting of Waco Suspension Bridge. Dr. Wooldridge is survived by wife, Jackie and daughters; Cynthia Elaine Mattson and husband Brent Alan Mattson, Robin Leah Vasek and husband Dr. Joseph Austin Vasek; grandchildren Austin Cole Vasek and Taylor Elaine Vasek, sister, Ruth Katharine Moulds and husband Gerald D. Moulds, beloved Golden Retriever “Brittian”, Grand-Animals Bentley Mattson and Snookie Mattson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Walter Robert Wooldridge, Jr. and beloved mother-in-law Julia B Hollowell. Pallbearers are: Brent A. Mattson, Joseph Austin Vasek, Brian V. Mattson, Dr. T. Bradford Willis, Fred Logan, Dan E. Mayfield, Jr., Cleveland Witt and Bertram E. King. Honorary Pallbearers are: Watson Arnold, Spencer Brown, William C. Oliver, Dr. Harry Slade, Jerold D. Moulds, Hal Stringer, Charles B. McGregor, James M. Warner, James Alexander, F. M. Young, Lawrence Lacy, N. Lee Dunnam, Mrs. James M. Klatt, Mrs. Robert Leggott, Mrs. S. Bergen Morrison, Mrs. William Ivan Newman and Mrs. W. Earl Bracken. Memorials may be made to: John Wood Ministries, Central Texas Senior Ministries, Keep Waco Beautiful “Christmas Tree Fund” and “Fuzzy Friends”. The family invites you to leave a message or memory at our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com