Oliver Walker Woodward, 21, died on July 4, 2017, in an accident while rafting with friends on the Snake River near Jackson, Wyoming and after celebrating with his parents at a Fourth of July parade earlier in the day. Oliver loved the outdoors and especially the mountains out West. We celebrate his life. Oliver was born in Atlanta, GA on May 1, 1996 to parents Julia Bell Woodward and Christopher ("Chris") Winters Woodward, nineteen months after his brother Harrison Sheldon Woodward. Oliver attended Peachtree Presbyterian Pre-School, Warren T. Jackson Elementary School, Sutton Middle School and Holy Innocents High School—where he excelled in football and tennis. He was a rising senior and business major at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. During the summer of 2016, Oliver studied at London School of Economics. Growing up, Oliver was a participant in Northside Youth Organization's (NYO) baseball and football programs, winning championships in both sports and spent summers playing NYO all-star baseball. As a member of the NYO Titans all-star baseball team at age 12, Oliver won the Cal Ripken skills competition in Myrtle Beach, SC. After two knee surgeries in high school, he continued his love of sports by coaching two youth basketball teams at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Oliver enjoyed travel, fishing, camping, cooking, golf, cheering on the UGA Bulldogs, music and spending time with friends. Oliver was member of Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and shared in his confirmation faith statement that "God is always there when you need something." Oliver was a kind-hearted and generous person. In junior high, after winning a bicycle in a school raffle, he asked the organizers to give the bike to someone less fortunate. His college buddies shared that on a recent Spring Break trip to Jamaica, Oliver bought bags of groceries for a number of locals who had asked for money or food. In addition to his parents, Julia and Chris, and brother Harrison, Oliver is survived by grandmother Mary Sudduth Bell of Starkville, Mississippi; aunts and uncles Laura and Jim White of Orange Beach, Alabama, Susan Bell and Pat Morris of Atlanta, Loren and Cris Bell of Starkville, Mississippi, Leah and Mark Ellis of Columbus, Mississippi, Allen and Tara Bell of Ottawa, Kansas, Vic and Kathleen Woodward of Seattle, Washington, Dave and Sarah Woodward of Sun Valley, Idaho, Tim and Maggie Woodward of Mill Valley, California; twenty-six first cousins and other extended family. Oliver was predeceased by grandfather Larry W. Bell ("Pop") of Starkville, MS and grandparents Dr. Sheldon C. ("Woody") and Nancy K. ("Nana") Woodward of Portola Valley, CA. Oliver always had a sweet smile and caring spirit. He subscribed to the philosophy of filling life with experiences instead of things. He would not want his friends and family to mourn. Rather, he would want everyone to celebrate a life well-lived by giving to others and performing random acts of kindness (and by cheering on his beloved DAWGS!). A memorial service and celebration of Oliver's life will be held in Atlanta, Georgia on August 4, 2017, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to Holy Innocents' Episcopal School www.hies.org, Northside Youth Organization www.nyosports.com, Peachtree Presbyterian Church www.peachtreechurch.org, Teton County Search & Rescue www.tetoncountysar.org, WinShape Foundation www.winshape.org or a charity of your choice.

Funeral: Friday August 04, 2017 12:00 PM