NPR did a very nice profile/tribute to him today. They pointed out that he was the "original" Woody Woodpecker from the song---after that the others came into play.
He ended his later years as a Real Estate mogul in Southern California. This after all the years with the Kyser organization and then taking on the Kyser orchestra's name.
Now for a bit of a trivia query. Who knows the name of one of the other great characters to come out of the Kyser Org. If you get that then think on the query: what famous band leader (U.S.) invented and made a fortune with a kitchen appliance?