The son of community founders John and Nancy Wood, William A. Wood died at age 39 in 1900. In his honor, his widow, Nellie Wood-Kreisle, gave ten acres of land for a high school which opened in 1918. The community around the school became known as "Wood Hi." In 1948, upper grades began attending Patti Welder High in Victoria which left first through eighth grades at William Wood. Consolidation with Victoria ISD took place is 1956. Notable figures in school history include Henry Hosek, first graduate and longtime trustee, and 2nd Lt. T.J. Flynn, a Foster Field instructor who sacrificed his life in 1955 to avoid colliding with students at the school during a training mission. Throughout the 20th century, the school served as the center of the community. (2021)