Alvin Donald Woyak

Alvin Donald Woyak lived 91 years full of love, laughter, and joy. Determination was the core of this genuine man who relished his beloved nickname, Iron Horse.

Residing in Goleta, California for the last 52 years, Alvin departed this planet on June 4, 2024 and will now be hanging out directly with Jesus forever.

With Jesus Christ as his example, Alvin provided kindness and service to his family, friends, and country.
Born on January 16, 1933 into a Wisconsin family during the great depression, Alvin was one of 11 children. The Woyak family learned early on what it was like to go hungry. After losing his dad at the age of 16, a year later Alvin lied about his age of 17 so he could join the Navy.

In a matter of months, Iron Horse went from a skin and bones, 135lbs, to the 175lbs he weighed for most of his born days. Thus, starting his life of service as a teenager, Alvin would then send home money to help feed the family.

After four years of service to our country, some of which was during the Korean War, Alvin came home and met his one and only bride to be, Nancy.

With both of them so loving in their different ways, a tornado of sorts started spinning. A tornado of goodness, love and commitment, first to each other and then to their children. This tornado never stopped until Nancy left to be with the Lord some seven years ago in October 2017.

During those 62 years, Alvin and Nancy raised five children which led to them to the joy of being grandma & grandpa to ttheir beloved ten grandchildren, which then led to a bountiful eight great-grandchildren.

Michael, Phillip, Jeanie (dec.), Paul, and Julie (dec.) Woyak were all born in Wisconsin and learned firsthand about their Dad’s great and loyal work ethic.
Taking night classes with five kids at home so to enhance his earning potential must’ve been quite a turbulent time for this loyal man. Al started working for GM just after getting married and stuck with them in one way or another through his entire working career where he did accounting for the defense system through an auxiliary department known as Delco Electronics.

During Alvin‘s career, he took a transfer out to Goleta, California and was part of the great migration of some 400 other Wisconsin families.
When it came to making it work, and doing the right thing while doing so, Al “ Iron Horse” Woyak couldn’t be stopped.

Alvin’s, Iron Horse mentality reached all facets of his life. From working the normal 40 hour week, to then adding plenty of overtime hours to provide for his family, to hiking the Yosemite Valley like it was his backyard, Alvin, once he set his mind to some thing, he was going to get it done. Big problems were like Half Dome, they were meant to be conquered.

Alvin Donald Woyak will be dearly missed by his three surviving sons, Paul (Kellie), Mike (Beth), and Phil Woyak.

Can’t wait to go hiking to that Heavenly Half Dome with you Dad, We love you, you will be dearly missed. God bless you Dad, I know HE is!