William Grant Wood, Jr., longtime resident of La Cañada Flintridge, passed away at his home Friday, October 20, 2023, at the age of 81.
Grant was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Pasadena to William Grant Wood and Dagmar Smith Wood. He attended La Cañada Elementary School, La Cañada Junior High School and John Muir High School. Grant continued his education at the University of Kansas, Pasadena City College and L.A. Art Center College of Design. He owned and operated various local businesses including Wood Landscape Company, Your Swimming Pool, as well as spending years at La Cañada Hardware where he employed many La Cañada youth. Later in life Grant was able to focus on his true passion: Art. A talented and versatile artist, Grant won numerous awards and ribbons for his works. He also impacted the talents of his students as a private instructor.
Grant is predeceased by his wife Nicole Hermsen Wood, their son William Grant Wood, III, brother David McKee Wood and his parents.
He is survived by his granddaughters Chloe and Hendley Wood, brother Jeffrey Gilpin Wood and his sister Dagmar Kirk Wood.
Everyone loved Grant. He made long lasting, personal relationships in his community whether through business, the La Cañada Little League, where he served as president in 1975, or his artistic endeavors. As a friend noted recently, “Grant cast a wide net.” He never had a harsh word for anyone.
His surviving family, friends and students will miss him deeply.
