Official Luthiers Forum!

I am sorry to say that Jim Lindley, known here as Wudwerkr, has made the transition to hospice after his battle with cancer. Jim was a good friend and a great person. He was instrumental in getting our midwest gathering (Gateway Area Luthiers Show) up and running and keeping it alive and engaging. I will always appreciate having met him at that first gathering and the friendship that followed.

Without those early gatherings and specifically his insistence that I show my early work to the group, I probably would not have worked up the confidence to become more serious about the hobby. I'll remember him whenever I am in my shop!

Godspeed Wud!

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

RIP Wud.

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/

Dang, sad to hear…

Sorry to hear that. Wud is a good guy.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I got to know him a little when we were doing the OLF Roundtable Zoom meetings. He seemed like a good soul. I hope his time in hospice is a comfortable and meaningful time of saying goodbye to his loved ones. Farewell, Wud.

That’s really sad to hear. It’s was almost a year ago when we last talked.

Godspeed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

_________________
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/cbcguitars/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cbcguitars

sad news indeed. He was a big help to many , a good man.

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I never talked to him but I know he was a big contributer to this forum.

He will be missed here and I wish him and his family my sympathy.

Bob

RIP Wud -

Has Mr. Lindley indeed passed, or is he still extant and awaiting that final passage while receiving hospice care? Your note would suggest the later, and I am loath to offer my condolences while Mr. Lindley is still counted among the living.

I'm so sorry to hear this. I picked up a shooting board from him years ago and it means all the more now.

Woodie and all, sorry for the vagueness of my post. Jim is currently still with us and on hospice. We don't live in the same city so the last time I saw him in person was a couple weeks ago when he was in St. Louis for treatments. I can't speak accurately to his current condition, other than to say his wife and daughter have been responding to his text messages.

When he and I last spoke, we knew the end of the line was coming sooner rather than later. He spoke of his faith and I am confident that he is emotionally and spiritually prepared.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Very sad news. I only met him once or twice virtually when Brad used to host monthly get togethers. He is a good guy and very helpful and generous with his time and knowledge.

Sad news. I shall pray for him end his family.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Sad news. My wife used to ask, what about the guy who lost his son. She didn't like the idea of that.

_________________
Why be normal?

Jim passed on the 23rd.

I considered him a friend and enjoyed our gatherings in STL. He was always welcoming and passionate. His kindness is what I’ll remember most.

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com

Such sad news. Another good guy gone. Life is so fragile. RIP Wud.

R.I.P. Wudwerkr

My condolences to his friends here and his family... although I only knew him through his posts, he was above all else always a gentle man, and that is no small thing. If anyone here has knowledge of where to send his family a note re: my sympathies and my highest regard for his many contributions to my own education as a repair person, please advise.

Condolences to friends and family. Rest in peace Mr. Lindley.

From the Roberts and Cook Funeral Service web page:

James Alan Lindley, 65, of Carmi, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, peacefully at home. He was born September 2, 1960, in Waukegan, Illinois, to Billy Joe Lindley and Mary Marguerite Ellabarger. Jim married his wife, Penny, on September 18, 1987, and together, they enjoyed 38 wonderful years together.

Jim and Penny moved to Carmi in the early 90's to support the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, and fell in love with the small town and slower pace of life. They built a business together to support themselves and the community, and over the years have formed many lasting friendships through both work and faith.

Jim had a strong faith, and happily shared that faith with others whenever he could, even as cancer slowly took his strength. He also enjoyed many of the more simple joys of life; namely watching football with his family, playing golf, motorcycle and Jeep rides, and drinking beer with friends. One of his favorite hobbies was woodworking, which led to discovering his love of building guitars. Although he always claimed he could never play them, he was always happy to provide the means for others to create music.

Survivors include his wife, Penny, of Carmi; daughter, Terah (Charles) Gilpen; his mother, Mary Lindley; brothers, Terry (Sandra) Lindley, and Michael (Linda) Lindley; daughter-in-law, Paula Lindley; grandchildren, Aubrey Spicer, and Hanna, Noah, and Olivia Lindley; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father; Billy Joe Lindley; and his son, Andrew Michael Lindley.

In keeping with Jim's wishes, his remains were cremated.

Family and friends may visit from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Roberts and Cook Funeral Service, 101 Edgewood Ln, Carmi, Illinois. Everyone is welcome to stop by to offer condolences to the family.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1405 County Road 730 East, Carmi, Illinois. Roberts and Cook Funeral Service has been entrusted with the arrangements.

I hope this brief foray into a restricted topic will be allowed in the spirit of offering comfort to Mr. Lindley's family.

For those not familiar with Mr. Lindley's chosen faith's funeral or memorial practices, a note of comfort and remembrance delivered to Mr. Lindley's family through the funeral service is appropriate, as is a simple, modest flower arrangement with an accompanying card offering a message of sympathy. Beyond that, a quick web search should reveal any other practices and beliefs of note for those planning on attending the service.