Steve Ledford Woolard

Steve L. Woolard, born February 11, 1939, in Beaufort County, NC, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025 at CarePartners Hospice Solace Center. He was the son of Jatha and Gertrude Pinkham Woolard.

Steve’s lifelong love of chemistry began at Bath High School and continued in his studies as a chemistry major at East Carolina University, where he was the first in his family to attend college. Steve was a veteran of the US Army, serving at the Army Chemical Center at Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. During this time in service, he formed enduring friendships with several of his fellow servicemen, continuing to keep in touch throughout the years.

One of his Army friends encouraged Steve to apply for a job selling industrial chemicals, which began his lifelong career. He worked as a sales representative for FMC Corporation, traveling throughout the southeastern US. His decision to take a job with Ticar Chemical brought him and his family to Asheville, NC in 1978. With his sales experience and vast knowledge of industrial chemicals, he established his own company, Asheville Lubricants and Chemicals, in 1986. He loved the art of supplying the chemical needs of businesses and established friendships with many of his customers throughout the US and internationally. He sold his company and retired at the age of 75. In his retirement, he enjoyed meeting friends for breakfast and conversation several times a week.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, three brothers, and two nieces.

Steve is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jean; two daughters, Shan Woolard (Matt Gniewek) of Winston-Salem, NC, and Jill Villarosa (Sam); and grandchildren, Emma and Nicholas Villarosa of Winter Garden, FL, and Nicole Hursey (David) and Erin Gniewek, who all reside in Raleigh, NC; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His daughters and grandchildren were the loves of his life. He supported his daughters in their academics, hobbies, and Girl Scouts. He loved playing card games with his grandchildren and being with them on beach trips and at Disney theme parks.

Steve possessed an extraordinary ability to connect with others, defined by his qualities as an excellent listener. He absorbed words with genuine care and attention, making everyone who spoke to him feel valued. This attentiveness fueled his brilliance as a conversationalist, engaging with grace, a quick wit, dry humor, and deep insight. A man of deep personal faith, he lived his Christian values daily and was a faithful attendee and deacon at First Christian Church in Asheville for many years.

A funeral service will be held at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on November 23 at 2 p.m. The family will receive guests immediately following the service until 4:30 p.m. The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Transformation Village of Asheville, 30 Olin Haven Way, Asheville, NC 28806, https://www.abccm.org/transformation-village.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.