Woodrow “Woody” Russell Lyle, age 60, of Anacortes, Washington died Sunday, May 3, 2009 at his home, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was a retired Lieutenant from the Hollywood, Florida Police Department and a retired United States Army Reserve Major.

Woody was born on May 9, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Sherman Raymond Lyle, Jayne McKee Lyle, and step-mother, Jane Zettelmeyer Lyle. He grew up in Shaker Heights, OH, and graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1967. Woody graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1970 and joined the United States Army in 1974, serving in the Military Police. After serving his term, Woody continued his service with the United States Army Reserves.

He moved to Hollywood, Florida and continued his career in law enforcement by joining the Hollywood Florida Police Department in 1978. Woody married Dorthea “Dee” Joanne Witkowski on May 9, 1981. He retired from the police department in 2004 and the couple retired to the state of Washington. Woody never met stranger. His vibrant personality cheered all and his giving heart warmed others.

Woody was preceded in death by his wife, Dee on January 4, 2009, his father in 1998 and his mother in 1961. He is survived by his step-mother, Jane Zettelmeyer Lyle, of Clemmons, NC; mother-in-law Dorthea C. Witkowski, of the home; brother and sister-in-law, Sherman Robert and Beth Lyle of Clemmons, NC; nephew, Christopher Thomas Lyle of Clemmons, NC; step-sister, Mary Zettelmeyer Reid of Chagrin Falls, OH; and step-brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey and Susan Lyle of Sanford, NC.

A joint memorial service was held for Woody and Dee at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Christ Episcopal Church in Anacortes. WA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Island Hospital Foundation, PO Box 1143, Anacortes, WA 98221, the Christ Episcopal Church, 1216 7th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221, or to a charity of choice.