Victor Lee Woodruff, 89 of Wolsey, and formerly of Wessington, passed away, Thursday, October 15, 2015 at SunQuest Health Care Center. His funeral service with masonic rites by Wessington Masonic Lodge #107 will be 10:30 am on Friday October 23, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church in Wessington, SD with inurnment and military honors by American Legion Watson-Krauter Post #110 of Wessington at Rose Hill Cemetery south of Vayland, SD. Memorial visitation with the family present will be from 5-7:00 pm on Thursday October 22, 2015 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron with a prayer service and time of sharing beginning at 7pm; or one hour prior to the service at the church. Victor was born on January 6, 1926 at his home on the farm at Wessington, SD to Norman Alfred and Bertha Beatrice (McFarling) Woodruff. He attended the Todd Country School for 8 years and then attended High School in Wessington, SD. Victor was born and raised on the family farm. He resided there for 68 years and has lived 19 years in Wolsey SD until he entered the SunQuest Healthcare Center August of 2013. Victor enlisted into the Navy on June 10, 1944. He served his tour of duty on the USS Hugh W. Hadley warship. Victor was a lookout and one night he spotted a surface mine that could have crippled the ship. He was promoted to Seaman First Class for his discovery. During an attack by Japanese Kamikaze fighter planes on May 11 1945, Victor's ship was hit by 3 Kamikaze planes and began to sink. Before she began to sank, they shot down 25 enemy planes. The sailors were ordered to abandon ship. They were eventually spotted by fishing boats and rescued. He was discharged from the Navy on June 6, 1946. Upon returning from the service Victor married Joyce Marie DeShazer on November 25, 1946 in St. Lawrence, SD. From this union they were blessed with seven children, Kent Woodruff Ogden UT, Reed (Eileen) Woodruff Wessington Springs, SD, Byron (Penny) Woodruff Wessington, SD, Vicki (James) Simpson Rapid City, SD, Mark Woodruff Rapid City SD, Kay (Doyle) Foreman Miller SD, Sandra (Jerry) Bowar Faulkton, SD. They made their home on the family farm south of Vayland, SD where they raised crop, cattle and their seven children. As a side line Victor worked in the Highmore and Wessington Springs Livestock Auction Barns, sold seed for Kings Western Seeds, and served on the SD Brand Board for many years. Joyce passed away December 25, 1991 from cancer. He retired from the farm in 1994 when he sold the farm to son Byron. On March 26, 1994, Victor married Erma Moser. Victor's family extended with the addition of Erma's four children, Sheila (Loren) Boyens Sioux Falls, SD, Peggy (James) Wagner Cottonwood, AZ, Leon (Marilyn) Moser Wolsey, SD and David (Barbara) Moser Huron, SD. They enjoyed traveling to family reunions and taking cruises. Victor and Erma continued to sell concrete lawn ornaments until they retired in 2005. Victor was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #148 O.E.S, Masonic Lodge #107 for 61 years, American Legion Wessington Post #0100 for 56 years, VFW Miller Post #3214, Yelduz Shriners Wessington, Rose Hill Presbyterian Church, and Wolsey Senior Center. Victor is survived by his wife Erma, 7 children, 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 4 step children, 11 step grandchildren, and 23 step great grandchildren. He is preceded on death by his parents, his first wife Joyce, one daughter in law Debbie Woodruff, one great grandchild Kendree Marie Foreman, and three brothers, Joy, Lawrence (Gene), Norman (Junior) and three sisters Gladys, Mary (Betty) and Arlene.