H. Palmer Wood

A Legacy of Love and Service

His intellect, heart and love for God, his family and the community will long be remembered.

Having left the legacy of one dedicated to bettering this world, H. Palmer Wood departed this world for his heavenly home, at age 90, on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Described by his family and friends as “loving, kind, gentle, loyal, honorable, creative, humorous, polite, intelligent, talented, sociable and religious,” Palmer would have blushed at this statement, as his humility also would attest.

Palmer and his wife, Ronali “Ronni” Anderson celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in January 2026, having married in 1970. In 1983, the couple moved to Lake Wales.

He loved his sons and spoke often of them, Palmer Battle Wood and Peter Benbury Wood.

Over the years, Palmer’s journey carried him into the military, where he served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957, finishing with an Honorable Discharge.

As a writer for Page Communications Engineers under Contract with the Department of Defense, he traveled extensively throughout Vietnam from 1966-1968, which served as the inspiration for his 2013 published novel, “Saigon Cowboy.”

In 1970, Palmer obtained his Bachelor of Science from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

An accomplished artist, photographer, and writer, Palmer also spent much time serving at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Wales as he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Episcopal Church in 2004.

He continued to serve until 2015, when he retired.

Over the course of his post-military career, Palmer served in the Aerospace Industry, was the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mountain Lake Corp. in Lake Wales from 1983-1994, and had an extensive background in project coordinating, communications, methods engineering, sales and upper management. He was the Editor of the Lake Wales News.

As editor, he was often one to call reporters into his office, to check information “one more time,” before releasing the paper for publication. Though newspapers often write about breaking and sometimes difficult news, he sought to promote journalism that was fair and balanced, and most of all, accurate.

He loved breaking news and could be seen grabbing his camera and leaving the newsroom quickly to capture “the story.”

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 29, 1936, his parents were: Father, Julien Gilliam Wood, Jr., of Edenton, N.C. and Mother, Harriet Palmer Wood, of Fayetteville, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers: Milton, Cady and Julien, and 2 sisters, Barbara and Marcia.

He is survived by his youngest sister, Harriet “Susie” Wood.

Palmer and Ronni gained custody of his two sons, Palmer and Peter, as Palmer’s previous marriage to Joanne Marie Battle in 1960 ended in divorce in 1968.

Palmer’s son, Palmer B., married Alice Munson Wood in 2001.

He leaves behind four grandchildren: Maxwell A. Wood, Howard P. Wood, Lilah P. Wood, and Julien B. Wood, as well as one great grandson, Samuel S. Wood.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home of Lake Wales is handling the arrangements. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Wales. Interment will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.