"William ""Billy"" Woodward Jr. (June 12, 1920 – October 31, 1955) was the heir to the Hanover National Bank fortune (later Manufacturer's Hanover), the Belair Estate and stud farm and legacy, and a leading figure in racing circles before he was shot to death by his wife, Ann Woodward, in what Life magazine called the ""Shooting of the Century"".
Woodward was the only son of William Woodward Sr., and his wife Elizabeth Ogden ""Elsie"" Cryder. His mother was one of the ""Cryder triplets"" of New York society fame. His father was president and director of the Hanover Bank of New York, and was secretary to the ambassador to the Court of St. James's during the reign of Edward VII. Woodward Sr. frequented the race track with the king, and they developed a close friendship.
Woodward was educated at the Buckley School (New York City), Groton School and graduated from Harvard University. After graduation, Woodward fought in the United States Navy during World War II. There, he received a Purple Heart after a torpedo attack on his ship. After leaving the Navy, Woodward became a director of Hanover Bank. A young, tall, wealthy man, he was considered by some to be the most eligible bachelor in America. He eventually became one of America's finest horse breeders. On the senior Woodward's death in 1953, Woodward inherited Belair Mansion and stud farm in Collington, Maryland, the oldest in America, along with the thoroughbred horse Nashua.
During his naval stint, Woodward met Ann Eden Crowell (born Angeline Lucille Crowell), a Powers model and stage and radio actress who also danced as a showgirl in upscale New York nightclubs. There were rumors that Ann was initially Woodward Sr.'s mistress and that he passed her along to his son. Woodward Sr. did in fact set his son up with Ann much to the displeasure of his wife Elsie who thought Ann was a gold digger. The couple announced their engagement on March 6, 1943, and were married two weeks later. They had two sons, William ""Woody"" III (born July 1944) and James ""Jimmy"" (born January 1947).
The Woodward marriage was reportedly turbulent. Both had affairs, drank frequently and often argued publicly. Ann also began abusing prescription drugs.
After attending a dinner party for Wallis Simpson on October 30, 1955, Woodward and his wife returned to their home in Oyster Bay, New York. Both were nervous about reports of a prowler roaming nearby estates, including their own. The Woodwards were both avid hunters. Ann was considered a terrible shot, and each went to their separate bedrooms that evening with loaded shotguns. A few hours later Ann heard a noise on the roof and went into a darkened hallway with her gun where she saw a shadowy figure standing in front of William Woodward's bedroom door. Believing the figure to be a prowler, Ann fired the gun, killing her husband. Upon arriving at the home, police found Ann Woodward holding her husband's body and sobbing. She immediately confessed that she had shot her
Woodward was the only son of William Woodward Sr., and his wife Elizabeth Ogden ""Elsie"" Cryder. His mother was one of the ""Cryder triplets"" of New York society fame. His father was president and director of the Hanover Bank of New York, and was secretary to the ambassador to the Court of St. James's during the reign of Edward VII. Woodward Sr. frequented the race track with the king, and they developed a close friendship.
Woodward was educated at the Buckley School (New York City), Groton School and graduated from Harvard University. After graduation, Woodward fought in the United States Navy during World War II. There, he received a Purple Heart after a torpedo attack on his ship. After leaving the Navy, Woodward became a director of Hanover Bank. A young, tall, wealthy man, he was considered by some to be the most eligible bachelor in America. He eventually became one of America's finest horse breeders. On the senior Woodward's death in 1953, Woodward inherited Belair Mansion and stud farm in Collington, Maryland, the oldest in America, along with the thoroughbred horse Nashua.
During his naval stint, Woodward met Ann Eden Crowell (born Angeline Lucille Crowell), a Powers model and stage and radio actress who also danced as a showgirl in upscale New York nightclubs. There were rumors that Ann was initially Woodward Sr.'s mistress and that he passed her along to his son. Woodward Sr. did in fact set his son up with Ann much to the displeasure of his wife Elsie who thought Ann was a gold digger. The couple announced their engagement on March 6, 1943, and were married two weeks later. They had two sons, William ""Woody"" III (born July 1944) and James ""Jimmy"" (born January 1947).
The Woodward marriage was reportedly turbulent. Both had affairs, drank frequently and often argued publicly. Ann also began abusing prescription drugs.
After attending a dinner party for Wallis Simpson on October 30, 1955, Woodward and his wife returned to their home in Oyster Bay, New York. Both were nervous about reports of a prowler roaming nearby estates, including their own. The Woodwards were both avid hunters. Ann was considered a terrible shot, and each went to their separate bedrooms that evening with loaded shotguns. A few hours later Ann heard a noise on the roof and went into a darkened hallway with her gun where she saw a shadowy figure standing in front of William Woodward's bedroom door. Believing the figure to be a prowler, Ann fired the gun, killing her husband. Upon arriving at the home, police found Ann Woodward holding her husband's body and sobbing. She immediately confessed that she had shot her
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