Wilmer C. "Woody" Woodward, 89, an aerospace engineer and athlete

Wilmer C. "Woody" Woodward, 89, of Blue Bell, a retired aerospace engineer, died of heart failure Saturday, Feb. 5, at home.

For more than 30 years, Mr. Woodward was with the Naval Air Development Center in Johnsville. While there, he was responsible for several patents, and was the project engineer for the development of the Navy's mirror landing system for aircraft carriers.

The system provided pilots with a visual signal, using a gyroscopically controlled concave mirror and special lights. Mr. Woodward retired as head of the aerodynamic design branch at the center in 1978.

A native of Enola, Cumberland County, Pa., Mr. Woodward was a baseball star and quarterbacked the championship football team at Enola High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.

During World War II, he served in the Navy in the Pacific. He was executive officer aboard a patrol craft used to detect submarines by sonar, and for escorting troop carriers and submarines.

Mr. Woodward joined the Naval Air Development Center after his discharge.

In 1955, he married Lois Knouse. The couple raised a family in Blue Bell. Mr. Woodward, who played softball for naval center teams, coached youth baseball and softball when his children were growing up and organized a Cub Scout troop at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Blue Bell.

He was an avid bowler, fisherman, and golfer, and a fan of local sports teams. He and his wife enjoyed long visits with their children and grandchildren in Vermont and California.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Woodward is survived by sons George "Tony" and David; daughters Amy and Susan; a brother; and seven grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 750 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, Pa. 19422. Donations may be made to the church, where Mr. Woodward was a senior warden and a member for almost 50 years.