Person Page 2,414

William Lester Woodcock was born on 8 Dec 1891 in Sunbury, Northumberland Co., PennsylvaniaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, G in the household of his parents, Vernon Woodcock and Minnie Irena Hopper.¹⁷
     He was first employed as a blue flag boy by a railroad in 1905, when he was about 16 years old. He was later a call boy, then transferred to the Sunbury shop, where he was a laborer and then an apprentice.^18,19
     William married first Dorothy Ellen Conrad, daughter of William H. Conrad and Elizabeth Kline, on 14 Nov 1909 in DelawareG, with W. F. Conrad officiating.^7,8,9
     William and Dorothy appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, at 156 South St. G, enumerated 20 Apr 1910, reporting they rented their home.³
     He was made a fireman in 1911, a position he held until 1924, when the shop closed.^18,20
     William and Dorothy appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania, at 801 S Second St. G, enumerated 10 Feb 1920, reporting they rented their home. Their children Ethel and Donald were listed as living with them.²¹
     He was transferred to AltoonaG, as in inspector of steam locomotives.^18,22
     William and Dorothy appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Altoona, Blair Co., Pennsylvania, at 1109 20th Ave. G, enumerated 14 Aug 1930, reporting they rented their home, for $35.00 per month, and owned a radio. Their children Ethel and Donald were listed as living with them.²³
     William and Dorothy appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Altoona, Blair Co., Pennsylvania, at 314 27th Ave. G, enumerated 4 Apr 1940, reporting they rented their home, for $30 per month, and that they had lived in the same city in 1935. Their children Ethel, Donald, and Ronald were listed as living with them.²⁴
     He reported in 1940 he had worked 44 hours the last week of March, and 30 weeks the prior year, earning $1,100.²⁵ He registered for the draft for World War II on 27 Apr 1942, while living at 314 27th Ave., Altoona, the Blair Co., PennsylvaniaG, reporting he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, in Altoona.¹⁸
     He was made chief inspector of the new locomotive building in 1949. He reported in the 1950 census he had worked 40 hours the prior week. He also reported working 52 weeks in 1949, earning $3,600 in wages or salary. He later became chief diesel inspector of the plant in Altoona, where he remained until he retired in 1952.^18,26
     William and Dorothy appeared on the 1950 Federal Census of Altoona, Blair Co., Pennsylvania, at 314 27th Ave. G, enumerated 4 Apr 1950, reporting they lived in a home that was not on a farm and they lived in the same house the year before. Their son Ronald was listed as living with them.²⁷
     His wife died on 10 Aug 1950 in Altoona, Blair Co., PennsylvaniaG.²⁸
     William married second Lera R. Simons, daughter of John Henry Simons and Mary Catharine Riegel, between Mar 1951 and Mar 1952. She was the widow of Franklin Gold Redcay.^10,11,12
     William and Lera moved to Mifflinburg, PennsylvaniaG, after he retired.¹⁸
     William died on 7 Oct 1965 in Lewisburg, PennsylvaniaG, at age 73.^13,14 He was buried in Grandview Cemetery, Altoona, Blair Co., PennsylvaniaG.^15,16