Caymanian man fatally shot in Tampa home invasion

| 15/04/2010

(St Petersburg Times): A day that began in celebration ended tragically for a St. Petersburg man who was fatally shot Wednesday during a home invasion robbery in Palmetto Beach. William Richard Wood, who turned 50 Tuesday, died atTampa General Hospital Wednesday evening, Tampa police said. Wood’s estranged wife said he had spent Tuesday night partying at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino but came home after losing a couple hundred dollars. "Being from the Cayman Islands, he wasn’t street smart," Sandy Wood said. "But he had a big heart."

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  1. Ricka says:

    Marc Wood and the Wood family, we are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your brother William Wood. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you during this very difficult time.

    Ricka & John

  2. Anonymous says:

    From a friend of the Class of ’76,  William may your soul rest in Peace.  Condolensces goes out to the family.

  3. Anonymous says:

    My condolences to the family. Mr. Buddy, Mrs Corrine, Marc and Judy may God give you the strength to continue on.

  4. Anonymous says:

    RIP Uncle Bill, wish I got the chance to say goodbye.

    Love You.

  5. Mary Lou Dixon says:

    Mr. Buddy, Ms. Corine, Judy and Marc, God Bless you all during this time of sadness, my heartfelt sympathy  to the family of the Late Bill Wood. A well know icon  in the District of Bodden Town.

    YOU WILL BE MISSED – May your soul "REST IN PEACE"

  6. Beth Weiser Castille (formerly Parsons) says:

    I am so sorry for your loss.  I was just asking Mrs. Thrilee Parsons Murray and Mrs. Teen Cranston about Bill the other day, wondering how he was doing.  Bill was always so nice to me, and I have such fond memories of him.  I was married to Bill’s cousin Steve Parsons and Bill stood in our wedding.  Steve and I went to Disneyland for our honeymoon and Bill and his girlfriend came with us.  We had such a great time, many laughs! 

    Bill was a kind person with a good heart, he will be sadly missed.  I will keep him and his family in my prayers.  Take care and God bless you. 

  7. Darlene says:

    To have known Bill (just like his father) alway had a hug and a smile to give to anyone he met.  This act is just awful.  For the family my love is with you all .  Having gone through this event with my brother Steve being killed who was was also Bill’s close friend, I know what this means and how awful it is for all the family. But each day gets a little better.  Anyone who knew Bill will never forget the good times and the happy person he was. I want to send the family our love my dad Harry Carter, daughter Lisa and all the other family members.

    Darlene

  8. Anonymous says:

    My condolences also to the family!

    Another senseless murder.

     

     

  9. Marc Wood says:

     On behalf of the Wood’s family , we would like to thank you for your kind words at this difficult time.

    – Marc Wood.

  10. Anonymous says:

    My condolences to thefamily.

  11. Anonymous says:

    What a shock to hear this tragic news about my homie, Bill. Twlya Mae speaks for us Bodden Towners. Rest in Peace my Bro. My sympathy to the family.

    Hope the Tampa/St.Pete police holds someone for this

  12. shelda duncan says:

    My deepest Sympathy to your family.I Pray that God will comfort them in this time of lost .I will miss you Bill. you was such a sweet and loving person.Always had a smile a hug and kiss for me when you see me.Bill you did not deserve to die this way.I pray for justice.My heart is too full to say any more miss you Bill.

  13. Shaft says:

    Based on Tampa Bay report, its more to this sad story of Mr. Wood death.

    May God help point out his killers & may his soul rest in peace.

  14. Thankful Again says:

    Wow… a fellow Caymanian…sad by this.  May his family and loved one find strength and hope through this hard time.

    I found myself thinking on the example a few weeks ago by the poster John Cake – can’t forget because the writer was strong in the post.  During the height of the surge in crime, we were inundated with comments from some guest workers and others in our community who were not bemoaning the crime.  Rather, they rejoiced in our demise.  They were over-bearing, negative and repugnant with their "byes byes" and "so glad to be out of here"…"I just left last week" comments.

    JC sought to point out how crime happen everywhere and ended with an example about people leaving here to run from a hurricane and getting caught in two hurricanes in florida at a hotel without power for weeks.

    I am not suggesting Mr. Wood left on such grounds.  But could not help but think of this in light of the local situation and arguments of safety locally. 

    Personally, I take no joy in this.  A fellow Caymanian has died…away from family and friends and his lil rock.  My prayers are that the police catch these murdering low-lifes.

    Continued prayers for our community and the certainly for continued successes by the RCIPS.  We are thankful for the weeks of peace that is so Cayman.

    May Mr. Wood’s soul rest in peace.

  15. Twyla Vargas says:

    My deepest sympathy to Mr Buddy, Ms Corine, Mark, Judy  and the Family.  We will all miss Bill, such a sweet and loving person with a kind heart.  Sadly, sadly missed by your Bodden Town friends.

  16. anonymus says:

    I am very sorry about this man losing his life in the US.

    I do have a word of caution especially for Caymanian men travelling to the US.. All too often they are not careful with their money and like to show off too much trying to get a woman!  I don’t think that’s what happened here. But very often Caymanian men go on vacation to the US and come back home claiming to have been robbed. Its not just a claim its really true because they don’t know the streets, and they get robbed The US is the wrong place to be throwing around your money. Don’t dress up, wear jeans and a t shirt.  don’t look like you have money, look half poor or like you yourself is in need. It will save your life.

    If you’re not street smart go with a friend who will look out for you. But you need to stay home if you’re not street smart.

    I pray for the family at this time for God to comfort them.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thanks for your words of wisdom, like you’ve ever been off the island.

      This was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. My condolences go out to the family. He was not murdered for being Caymanian or because he was throwing his money around. He was murdered in a house robbery probably by some out of it druggies.

      I’d feel a hundred times safer walking around Tampa with money in nice clothes than I would in parts of Cayman at night.

      • Carolyn says:

        My condolences and the condolences of my mother and my daughters go out to Buddy, Corrine, Judy and Mark as well to Bill’s uncles and cousins.  I personally know the family very well and I always found Bill to be very sweet and kind to everyone.  He will be definitely missed by all who knew him.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Tragedy around every corner.

  18. Young Caymanian says:

    You will be missed 🙁