Ollie King Goodwin, 90, died Saturday December 3, 2011 at Fauquier Hospital in Warrenton, VA surrounded by his family.

He was born November 25, 1921 in Newport News, VA to the late Joseph B. Goodwin and Elsie L. King Goodwin. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers Joseph B. Goodwin II and Robert Lee Goodwin.

During World War II, he was a radio airman on a PBM. He attended the Apprentice School in Newport News and was employed by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. from 1939-1978 as a hull designer and as an instructor in hull design at the Apprentice School. He was later awarded a patent on his anchor design. He organized Sea Scouts for the Apprentice School and was also a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout Leader. Later he was employed as an independent contractor in hull design at shipyards throughout the United States and Canada.

He was co-founder of the Virginia Herpetological Society and founder of Coastal Canoeists. He served as Safety Chairman for the American Whitewater Association. He and his wife participated in numerous whitewater races, both slalom and wildwater (downriver). Along with his wife Glenna, he was an International Canoe Federation gate judge for whitewater canoeing competitions. In later years, he owned and operated World of Whitewater, a school for canoeing, kayaking and whitewater rafting in Big Flat, CA.

He worked for several years as a substitute teacher for Fauquier County Schools and as a volunteer at many area high school track and cross-country competitions.

O.K. is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Glenna H. Goodwin, two daughters - Candace Goodwin Waits and husband Benjamin of Newport News, and Cynthia Wall and husband Kenneth of Catlett, VA; five grandchildren: Jennifer Earnest, Robin Waits, Joshua Wall, Colleen Wall and Caitlyn Wall, and a great-granddaughter, Alexa Earnest. They knew him, and still know him, as Pop-Pop.

Memorial contributions may be made in O.K. Goodwin's name to the Catlett Volunteer Fire Department in Fauquier County, VA.