Born in St. George, Utah Territory, to Orin Nelson Woodbury and Ann Cannon, Woodbury served in many capacities in the church on a local level.

It is also unclear whether Woodbury was considered by the church to be a general authority.

After his release, Woodbury served as a local stake patriarch in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Woodbury was married to Lily Druce Lambert and was the father of six children: George L., Lillian, Frank Orin, Harvey Charles, Nettie, and Melvin.

Woodbury died in Salt Lake City age 94.