Our Story...

About Wood’s Boots

The Most Walked About Boots in Texas!
Colorado City, Texas • Est. 1965

The story of Wood’s Boots is the story of West Texas grit, hard work, and a lifelong passion for making a deal—and making customers happy.

The Beginning of a West Texas Original

The roots of Wood’s Boots trace back to July 1, 1931, when Billy Joe Wood was born in Colorado City, Texas, the youngest child of Adison Randolf (A.R.) and Geneva Ellis Wood. Raised during the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, Billy Joe grew up watching his father work tirelessly in real estate, learning firsthand the value of perseverance, negotiation, and relationships.

Those lessons shaped a mindset that would one day earn Billy Joe the nickname “The Boot King of West Texas.”

After a brief stint working as a telegraph operator in Pecos, Billy Joe returned home to Colorado City, where his heart—and future—belonged. Shortly after, he was drafted into the Korean Conflict. Before leaving, he asked his lifelong partner, Thelma Berniece Jackson, to marry him. She was only 16 at the time, and he promised her two things: she would finish high school, and “If you marry me, life will never be dull.”
He kept both promises.

From Real Estate to Boots

Following his father’s retirement, Billy Joe continued the family’s real estate business while also buying struggling retailers across West Texas. Whether it was furniture, clothing, hardware—or hats loaded onto a trailer in the middle of the night—Billy Joe had a knack for spotting opportunity.

One thing became clear: boots always sold first.

Some of his earliest inventory came from legendary bootmaker M.L. Leddy, where Billy Joe purchased misfit boots and sold them at deeply discounted prices. That simple idea—quality boots at unbeatable value—became the foundation of a business that would support four generations.

The Bootmobile & a Bigger Vision

In the mid-1960s, Billy Joe converted an old school bus into a mobile boot store known as the “Bootmobile.” He traveled town to town across West Texas, parking in vacant lots and selling boots at prices local merchants couldn’t match. While not everyone loved the competition, customers did.

After one brutally cold winter on the road, Billy Joe returned home and decided it was time for something permanent.

Wood’s Boots Is Born — 1965

Wood’s Boots officially opened in 1965, operating out of the front of Billy Joe’s real estate office in downtown Colorado City.

In 1971, Billy Joe and his oldest son Don Wood made a bold—and controversial—decision to move the store to a new 1,500-square-foot location on the newly formed Interstate 20. Banks wouldn’t finance it, but a local friend believed in the vision.

That gamble paid off.

Today, the original building at 891 East I-20 in Colorado City, Texas, has grown into over 14,000 square feet and stands as one of the most recognized Western boot destinations in the region.

Fort Wood: Creativity Without Limits

Billy Joe’s imagination didn’t stop with boots.

In 1986, a simple conversation over coffee sparked the creation of Fort Wood—an Old West fort built from telephone poles and inspired by classic Western films. Fort Wood became a regional attraction, hosting concerts, charity events, festivals, dances, and legendary Saturday morning gunfight reenactments.

It is also home to an award-winning mechanical stagecoach, complete with mechanical horses, built from a Dodge van—another one of Billy Joe’s unforgettable ideas.

A Legacy of Family, Community & Service

Billy Joe Wood was more than a businessman. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, storyteller, and friend. He never met a stranger and believed deeply in giving back—whether through community service, Jaycees involvement, or gifting jackets to graduating seniors year after year.

Billy Joe passed away on March 29, 2015, but his legacy is woven into every aisle of Wood’s Boots and every handshake with a customer.

Four Generations Strong

In 2006, Don Wood and Jeremiah Wood assumed leadership of the business. Today, four generations of the Wood family—including great-grandsons Kody and Kyler—remain actively involved.

We’ve helped outfit generations of families, and many customers proudly tell us their first pair of boots came from Wood’s Boots.

Who We Serve

Wood’s Boots proudly serves:

• Real working cowboys

• Oilfield & wind energy workers

• Ranchers & rodeo hands

• Truck drivers

• Western lifestyle enthusiasts

• Tourists and boot lovers from around the world

Why Wood’s Boots

• Family-owned since 1965

• Unmatched selection of cowboy, work & exotic boots

• Trusted brands & exclusive styles

• Friendly, knowledgeable customer service

• The lowest possible prices—always

At Wood’s Boots, we don’t just sell boots.
We sell tradition, value, and a West Texas way of life.

Wood’s Boots
Colorado City, Texas
The Most Walked About Boots in Texas!