Emil Phillip Wodicka, Sr.

SFC Emil P. Wodicka Ret., 75, of Hephzibah, Georgia, entered into eternal rest at his residence on December 10, 2025 in Hephzibah, Georgia, following a 22 year battle with multiple cancers.

Mr. Wodicka was born in the Queens Borough of New York City, New York to Emanuel Francis and Nancy Ann (Peluso) Wodicka on September 5, 1950. He graduated Hillsborough High School in Tampa, FL and attended United Electronics Institute of Florida until he entered service in the US Army on November 19,1970 and continued his education at Augusta Technical College after retirement in 1992 where he received multiple Associate Degrees in Electronics and Engineering.

He served in the United States Army at Ft, Jackson, SC; Stuttgart, Germany; Ft. Bliss, TX; Camp Humprey, Korea; Ft. Gordon, GA; Karlsruhe, Germany; Ft. Bragg, NC; Ft. Clayton, Panama and returned to Ft. Gordon, GA in September 1991 and chose to retire November 30, 1992. Emil worked for Meco Inc of Augusta, Kwikset in Waynesboro, GA and found a passion for preparing taxes with H & R Block until he retired fully in 2015 to enjoy his family.

He was a member of the Hephzibah Lions Club where he loved interacting with the communities throughout the state for over 25 years. He received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2025. He was an active member of the Augusta Pinochle Players club and a life member of the American Legion Post 178.

Emil is preceded in death by his parents, Emanuel Francis Wodicka and Nancy Ann Peluso; brother Clifford J. Wodicka Sr.; and daughter-in-law, Christina May Baker Wodicka.

Mr. Wodicka is survived by his wife of 54 years Sherry Darlene; sons, Emil Phillip Wodicka, Jr. (Sandy Leigh Wodicka) and John Henry Wodicka (Laura Matranga), daughter, Brandy Ann Compton and her husband Joshua David Compton.; 11 grandchildren, Emil P Wodicka III (Rebecca), Alyssa Anne Hosier (Tyler), Samantha Yvonne Wodicka (Maverick), Sadie Grace Wodicka, Tristan Nathaniel Adams (Lauren), Gavin Nicholas Wodicka (Savannah), Skyler Renae Adams, Alexander Scott Wodicka, Hannah Joyce Wodicka, Shelby Nicole Pepinov (Joseph) Billie Jane Wodicka; 9 great-grands, Jayce, Luna, Kinslee, Emil IV, Zoey, Kaylee, Jaxton, Emma, and Treylin, along with many lifetime friends he called family.

Services will be conducted at Fairhaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 3507 Wrightsboro Rd. Augusta, GA 30909 on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Visitation will begin at 4pm followed by the memorial service, officiated by Pastor Billy Carroll, at 5pm.

SFC Emil P. Wodicka Sr. (Ret) will be interred at Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, SC On Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 12pm with full military honors.

The family of Mr. Wodicka wishes to extend our sincere thanks and love to Paul and everyone at Georgia Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hephzibah Lions Club in Emil's memory:

Hephzibah Lions Club

C/O Danna Almon

P.O Box 634

Hephzibah, GA 30815

706-592-9622

Celebration of Life will be held after the Memorial Service at his home following the Memorial Service Tuesday. Arrangements are by Fairhaven Funeral Home.