SHREVEPORT, LA – Funeral services for Gilliam Aaron Woodham, Jr. (Aaron/Junior), 70, will be held at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shreveport, LA. Father Matthew Long will officiate.

Gilliam Aaron Woodham, Jr. (Aaron) was born July 4, 1952, in Quincy, FL. A true country boy, Aaron spent his days outside – either swimming or fishing in the creek. Aaron could be found taking apart his toys, seeing how they worked, and putting them back together. From an early age he became a jack-of-all-trades. He could fix just about anything or operate any type of machinery or equipment.

Aaron met his wife of 45 years, Judith (Judy), when they were in their twenties. He felt God tap him on the shoulder and say, "there is your wife". At first Aaron was not convinced, but with each interaction God told him "She will be your wife". He quickly changed his mind as they met in the Spring of 1976 and were married on November 6, 1976, at Martin Baptist Church in Martin, LA.

Their family rapidly expanded when Wendy Michelle was born the following year and Gilliam Aaron Woodham, III (Trey) the next year. When Trey was just a few months old they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana to be closer to Judy's family. Once in Louisiana they were blessed again with Catherine Dru and Matthew Joseph completing their family.

Aaron held numerous jobs in their early years together. He was an exceptional handyman and made his mark wherever they were. Their homes in Louisiana and Florida were infused with his work - from custom cabinetry to renovated bedrooms - Aaron put his heart into their homes.

Aaron formally joined the Catholic Church on Easter Sunday in 1986. After another conversation with God, he felt called to attend Catholic Lay Evangelist School in Pensacola, FL. Aaron and Judy prayed over the decision, knew that God would continue to provide for them, and Aaron moved to Florida in 1987 to deepen his relationship with God. He cleared the land they purchased in Bristol, FL and transformed it over the years adding a shed, a workshop, and a home.

In 2002 Judy "retired" and began traveling between Bristol and Shreveport every two weeks. She continued splitting her time between both homes until she formally moved to Bristol in 2012. Aaron and Judy started their business, That Darn Pump, together. When they were not spreading the good news or fixing water pumps, they spent their downtime visiting friends, fishing, and playing cards.

Aaron and Judy were in a life-changing wreck in January 2014 after which they realized they wanted to be closer to their family. In 2015 they moved back to Shreveport and purchased a home where their children and grandchildren could gather, spend holidays together, and make lasting memories.

Aaron died on July 8, 2022. He had numerous health issues in his last few years of life, but he remained steadfast in his faith. He knew that God was calling him home, and he was ready to spend eternity with him.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gilliam Aaron Woodham; mother, Louise Woodham Chase; and his brother, Samuel T. Woodham.

He is survived by his wife, Judith (Judy) Woodham of Shreveport, LA; two daughters, Wendy M. Woodham and Catherine D. King of Shreveport, LA; two sons, Gilliam Aaron Woodham, III (Trey) and wife, Laura, of Shreveport, LA, and Matthew J. Woodham and wife, Hannah of McKinney, TX; 7 grandchildren; his sisters Blinda Mazerac and Marilyn Pettes of Bristol, FL; and his brother, John R. Woodham of Chattahoochee, FL.

The family would like to express their sincerest thanks to Dr. Roohani and the team at Christus Hospice for their unconditional care of Aaron in his time of need.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Catholic School.