Wood Doris Waits
March 28, 1934 — December 25, 2025
Pensacola, FL
Commander Wood Doris Waits, United States Navy (Retired), passed away on December 25, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida, where he had lived with his wife, Noriko, for the last forty-seven years. Born on March 28, 1934, on a farm west of Eupora, Mississippi, to Ferney Wood (F.W.) Waits and Alma Peeples Waits, he dedicated his life to military and community service. He demonstrated unwavering commitment and resilience; traits that saw him rise through the ranks of the United States Navy over a distinguished thirty-year career. After retiring from the Navy, Wood channeled his disciplined work ethic into a successful second career in real estate and property management. Wood's dedication extended beyond his professional life, as evidenced by his active participation as a Master Mason in Myrtle Grove Lodge No. 352 as well as his memberships in the Scottish Rite and Hamasa Shriners. He graduated from Eupora High School in May 1951 and briefly worked at a local glove factory before attending Draughn’s Business School in Jackson, Mississippi, where he received a diploma. His love for adventure led him to join the Navy, where he served on two destroyers and two aircraft carriers, visiting ports in foreign cities and enjoying exciting places. He also served at seven shore stations, including Japan, Taiwan, and various locations in the United States.
Commander Wood D. Waits is survived by his beloved wife of over sixty-six years, Noriko Waits; daughter, Karen Leigh; son, Joseph Michael; daughter, Doris Hiromi Cooper with her husband Ralph and granddaughter, Courtney; grandson Jacob with his wife Wanling; daughter, Susan Alma and grandson Justin Engen with his wife Brittany. He is also survived by his sister Nancy. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ferney Wood (F.W.) Waits and Alma Peeples Waits; sister, Polly and her husband Billy Mack Garrison.
Celebration of Life Services were held at 2:00PM Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel in Eupora, Mississippi. The family received friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 1:00PM until time for services at 2:00PM at Oliver Funeral Home. Interment followed at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery in Eupora, Mississippi. Rev. Josh Bingham officiated the services.
Pallbearers were Michael Waits, Ralph Cooper, Justin Engen, Russ Doolittle, Reb Byrne and David Murphy. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora was honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Waits family.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers all memorials in Mr. Waits' honor be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tunnel to Tower or Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery Fund. You may go online to sign the guest register book and leave a message of condolence for the family at www.ofheupora.com.
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