The Chairman of James River Transportation, L. Woodrow “Woody” Story passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 11, 2018. He was 94.
Woody was part of the “Greatest Generation”, serving in the US Navy as a Sonar Operator in the South Pacific during WWII. He routinely talked about the first Japanese battle surrender being signed on his Destroyer Escort, the USS Levy. He was known to most as the typical Southern Gentleman.
After the war, as a car salesman, Story purchased an old Aerocoach bus and operated a part-time charter business with the help of his wife Anne. Shortly thereafter, the owners of James River hired him as their General Manager where he guided the company towards its future success. In the seventies, he purchased James River from the owners and other family members joined the business to assist in its progress.
Dr. L. Woodrow Story, Jr (son) is Treasurer, Diane Story Hall (daughter) is Vice President / Secretary, Stephen W. Story (son) is President and Jason Hall (grandson) is the Airport Division Manager.
Woody was very active in numerous trade and civic organizations serving in various leadership positions with the Virginia Motorcoach Association, The American Bus Association, the local Masonic Temple, the Shriners, the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association and the Navy League.
Some of his favorite activities were driving a “fully dressed” Harley in parades with the Shriners and the unique trips on board Naval ships with the Navy League.
Woody was proud of the organization he mentored and the family and team that helped make it one of the most respected in the industry. Even after retirement, he was always selling, promoting and proposing new services to the JRT staff.
Woody was a very active person and continued driving, visiting friends and working in his yards at home and his river house up until his recent illness last year.
Visitation and Graveside services will be Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Details are in the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper.
James River Transportation is a full-service ground passenger transportation organization celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2018.