Obituary

John George Doyle, 81, of Inwood, West Virginia, passed away August 12, 2025. He was born on August 31, 1943, in Albany, New York, to parents J. Francis A. Doyle and Esther C. (Higby) Doyle.

Following high school, John served in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in France. After his honorable discharge, John settled in the Washington, D.C., area where he became a mechanic, first on motorcycles and then — for most of his career — on automobiles. He had always been mechanically inclined, even as a youth. John eventually went into business for himself as a freelance mechanic — an enterprise he lightheartedly referred to as “Woody’s Garage.” The name was a carryover from his last employer before going independent. John said, “They asked me, ‘What name do you want on your coveralls?’ When you’re tall and your name is John, you get to be known as Big John. I was tired of being Big John, so I opened a phone book and put my finger on a name at random: Woody. So, they put that on my coveralls and called me Woody.”

He was a kind and loving person, very devoted to his family.

John is survived by his brothers, Matt Doyle of Ohio and Michael Doyle of Tennessee; and sister, Sandy Cushing of Florida. While John had no children of his own, he is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be sent to his family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.