Lee Andrew Woods, III, passed unexpectedly in New Braunfels Texas, on Monday, September 2, 2024 at the age of 75. Born on March 12, 1949 to Lee Woods, Jr., and Antoinette Camasco, Lee grew up with his younger brother, Frank, and his little sister, Carolyn, in Montclair, New Jersey.
In 1968, Lee enlisted in the United States Air Force, training and serving as an air traffic controller. He was honorably discharged in 1973 after 5 years of service during which he received several honors including being selected as his Squadron’s Airman of the Quarter in 1969. After leaving the military, Lee settled in San Antonio, Texas, a city he lived in and loved until his passing.
In 1974, Lee graduated from the Elkins Institute of Broadcasting, and he began his lifelong career in radio broadcasting. Shortly after graduating, Lee became a radio personality for KBER. After moving to KITY a year later and spending two years there, he landed at KONO Radio in 1978. Lee’s career with KONO was a bit of a roller coaster in the early years but after becoming Program Director in 1986, he found great success bringing the “oldies but goodies” to the airwaves, rocketing the station to number 1 in the market.
In the 90s, Lee partnered with a trio of great men to take control of KONO and to bring a new station, KRIO, to San Antonio. He spent the decade building up these stations and promoting local artists. Lee’s love for the local music scene continued on after his retirement from radio in 1998.
Lee moved from radio to TV, working in ad sales for KENS 5 where he worked for about 10 years before retiring and beginning his battle with cancer. Despite ongoing health issues, Lee never stopped making music and he stayed connected to the TV/radio world. In 2016, he was honored as an inductee into the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame, and in 2017, he was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. From 2016 until 2023, you could hear him on the air with Rio and Reyes in their morning talk show, The Big Tortilla Show. Most recently, Lee was working on a blues project with a new band, The Ballbuster Blues Band featuring Lee Woods. They were producing their new album entitled Freight Train of Pain, a project that just wrapped up.
In June of 2024, Lee moved to New Braunfels, Texas, into his casita which adjoined his daughter, Kaycie Tyler, and her family’s home. He spent his final days playing with his beloved dog and grandkids. Lee took his final breath at home, just days after the Golden Oldies version of KONO was laid to rest.
Lee Woods, III lived an extraordinary life and if you ever met him, you would surely remember him. He had a larger-than-life personality, and he loved to have a good time. His “good times” gave him a colorful collection of stories to tell. His fun personality enabled him to amass a huge network of friends who, no doubt, heard many of these stories over the years.
Lee Woods, III, was preceded in death by his wife, Betsy Harris; his grandson, Roc Tyler; his father Lee Woods, Jr.; his mother, Antoinette Woods; and his sister, Carolyn Woods. He is survived by his daughter, Kaycie Tyler, her husband, Jeff Tyler, and their children, Rex, Tyson, and Luke; his son, Lee Andrew Woods, IV, his wife Jamie Woods, and his daughter, Katherine Villarreal; and his brother, Frank Woods, his wife, Leslie Smith, and their children.
Lee Woods, III will be laid to rest on Thursday, September 26th at 11:30 am at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery, Shelter #3, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209. Immediately following will be a procession and Celebration of Life in the Carriage Hall at the VFW Post 76, "The Oldest Post in Texas,” 10 10th St, San Antonio, TX 78215.
FAMILY
Kaycie Tyler (Jeff Tyler)Daughter
Lee Andrew Woods IV (Jamie Woods)Son
Frank Woods (Leslie Smith)Brother
Lee is also survived by grandsons, Rex, Tyson and Luke Tyler; granddaughter, Katherine Villarreal;and by a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and very special friends.
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