Steven F

Woodill

Steven F. Woodill Obituary
November 5, 1952 - January 25, 2024
Steven F. Woodill, retired Cal Fire SCU Unit Chief, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at home on January 25 at age 71. He was a proud resident of San Juan Bautista, CA. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Mary. Daughter, Kiffin Reading (Toby). Granddaughters, Rylee and Allie Reading. Stepdaughters, Kia Freitas (Aaron) and Deanne Fenimore. Step-grandsons, Ryan Fenimore and Andrew Freitas. Sisters, Lisa Bertagna (Paul) and Holly Lindberg (Jeff). Nephews, Scott Lindberg and John Randle (Tina). Niece, Alyssa Withrow (Christopher). Great-nephew;
Bentley Randle. Great-nieces, Lilah and Amelia Withrow; Kinsleigh and Charlotte Randle. Steve was born in Santa Barbara, CA. He moved to Vina, CA at the age of two where he grew up on an almond and hog farm. He loved growing up in the country and attending Vina Elementary School. In 1970, after graduating from Los Molinos High School, at the age of 17, he was hired as a seasonal fire fighter for the California Department of Forestry in the Tehema and Glenn Unit. He attended the University of Wyoming for a couple of years, then returned to CDF full time and served for 43 years. He later received a bachelor's degree in history from Chico State University in 1983. At the age of 22 he promoted to Fire Captain of the Siskiyou and Butte Unit. In 1985 he promoted to Battalion Chief of the Tehema and Glenn Unit. In 1993 he promoted to Assistant Chief of the Tehema and Glenn Unit. In 1995 he transferred as Assistant Chief to the Butte Unit. In 1997 he promoted to Unit Chief of the Santa Clara Unit where he remained until 2007. He retired for a short time then returned as a retired annuitant in the San Mateo Santa Cruz Unit as an Assistant Chief. In 2009 he reinstated as Unit Chief in the Santa Clara Unit and officially retired in 2013. He greatly loved, and deeply cared for all his staff. In retirement, Steve loved fishing, hunting, cooking, reading, taking the back roads on road trips, traveling and spending time with family. He had a deep love for his daughter, Kiffin, and his granddaughters, Rylee, and Allie. His face lit up every time he talked about them. Steve faced his illness and death with courage and grace. He said he had a great life and a wonderful career at Cal Fire. He will be dearly missed by all the lives he touched.

The family has requested no flowers and any donations to one of the following:

Cal Fire Local 2881

Benevolent Fund

1731 J Street N.

Sacramento, CA 95811

https://calfire.foundation/

Cal Fire Museum

3875 Genevieve Street N.

San Bernadino, CA 92405

https://calfirehistory.com/