Hiram J. Woodard was born July 18, 1916 in Kadoka, South Dakota, the son of Hiram J. and Clara Iona (Kelling) Woodard.

He grew up on a ranch near Long Valley, South Dakota. He attended rural school and later graduated from Wanblee High School.

As a young man he worked in construction of earth dams in Durango, Colorado. He served in the United States Army during WWII in the European Theatre.

After his discharge in 1945 he returned to the Long Valley area where he farmed and ranched with his mother and step-father.

He married Dorothy Irene Arnold and they owned and operated a farm-ranch one mile east of Long Valley.

After her death on October 20, 1972, Hiram continued to operate the farm-ranch.

He was united in marriage to Gertrude "Gertie" Buum Richardson on August 15, 1973 in Rapid City.

They continued to operate the farm-ranch until retiring in the fall of 1995, but continued to reside on the farm-ranch until moving into Kadoka in September 1998.

Hiram was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Kadoka and a former member of Our Savior Lutheran Church of Long Valley. He was also a member of Pioneer Masonic Lodge #219, and a fifty-six year member of the American Legion Post #240, both of Martin.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Gertrude W. "Gertie" Woodard of Kadoka; two step-sons, Vernon Richardson and his wife Roxy of Longvalley, and Reed Richardson and his wife Joyce of Longvalley; two step-daughters, Carol Duval and her husband Gary of Helena, Montana, and Mary Tieskotter and her husband Bill, of Preston, Minnesota; eight step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Clinton "Bud" Woodard and his wife Caye of Scottsburg, Oregon, and Stanley Barber and his wife Helen of Rapid City; one sister, Janice Ruyle of Ouray, Colorado; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his first wife, Dorothy Irene, Hiram was preceded in death by his parents, Hiram and Iona; his step-father, Stanley Barber; and two step-grandsons, Kevin Duval and Darin Duval.

Funeral services for Hiram J. Woodard, age 85, of Kadoka, were held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2002, at the Concordia Lutheran Church in Kadoka, with Pastor Paul Bly officiating.

Visitation was from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 22, at the Rush Funeral Chapel of Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.

Interment with military honors by the American Legion Post #240 of Martin was in the Kadoka Cemetery.

A memorial is established.