Ozarks Profile: William O. 'Bill' Woody, CLU, ChFC, CFP

What is your job?

"Planning for clients business owners, senior executives, professionals and successful persons to define what they want and need to do for themselves, their business and with their dollars to achieve these goals," Woody said.

Tell us about your company.

"Stovall-Woody Associates is more than 20 years old and I partner with L.G. Stovall," Woody said. "Financial and investment planning comes through AXA-Advisors LLC, a registered investment advisory firm." The AXA relationship started in 1990 and has grown each year, he added.

What specific issues do you address in your work?

Woody said he helps businesses be successful, among other things. "Planning for children's college, retirement income, estate distribution and investment planning are an integral part of what I do," he said.

What led you to this field?

Woody said his education in business and economics at Southwest Missouri State University brought him into the changing financial services business. He started in financial services after graduating from SMSU and has added professional designations through the years. "I have continued to improve my skills to follow people's and businesses' changing needs," he added.

What changes are you seeing in your areas of expertise?

"The public wants quality information, and at a high level of knowledge from the provider. They prefer to pay fees for services rather than a sales commission," Woody said. "Also, the large financial companies and banks are continuing to grow and buy other companies. Enron has also impacted what is happening."

Tell us about your family.

Woody said his family consists of Jean, his wife of more than 40 years, and his two daughters. Daughter Mary, he said, lives in Fair Grove and works for the Postal Ser-vice in Springfield. Daughter Susan is a physician and kidney specialist who is moving back to Springfield to practice medicine.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Woody likes working with his wife on her gardens, traveling the United States and abroad, and fishing in Stockton Lake, Lake Michigan and the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico.

by Maria Hoover