Former mayor, city manager Leo Wood dies

Former Georgetown city manager and mayor Leo Wood used to walk around with a pocket full of quarters, which hewouldhandout to children whenever he saw them.

“I don’t know how many quarters he gave my son over the years,” recalled Charlie Culpepper, who, while serving as the mayor of Round Rock from 1993-1999, formed a friendship with Mr. Wood. “Leo was a good person. He was Mr. Georgetown back when Georgetown needed a representative. He was friendly to everybody and always had a smile on his face.”

Mr. Wood — who served the Georgetown community in official capacities for 25 years and who assisted in establishing the Sun City community — died on October 2. He was 82 years old.

Born Willis Leo Wood, Mr. Wood spent his childhood in San Saba, where he met and married his wife, Vivian, who passed away in 2021. After working for the cities of San Saba and Rosebud, he became Georgetown’s city manager in 1969, a position he held until 1985.

During his 18 years on the job, Mr. Wood facilitated significant projects. He worked with The Texas Main Street Project to secure federal and state funding for the rehabilitation and preservation of the Square. He was a key player in constructing the North Fork Dam, which established Lake Georgetown as a vital source of water for the community.

Mr. Wood held office as mayor from 19921999. In this position, he played a role in bringing Sun City — a community for people aged 55 and up formerly developed by Del Webb and now overseen by Pulte — to Georgetown. Now, Sun City houses more than 15,000 residents.

“The result of that has been tremendous volunteerism, a tremendous philanthropic [presence] within our community and a stronger community because we have Sun City,” said District 4 Council Member Ron Garland, a council representative for Sun City.

Mr. Garland formed a close friendship with Mr. Wood, visiting him at least once a week for the past two years.

“What I’ve learned in that period of time ishow[Mr.Wood]hasmentoredsomanyof Georgetown’s community leaders over the years by listening, giving a little bit of advice but allowing those individuals to find their way and then supporting them,” Mr. Garland said.

Mr. Wood also founded the Georgetown Men’s Steak Fry — a group of residents that meets monthly for fellowship and to discuss Georgetown happenings — in 1969. Throughout its existence, the group has raised and donated upwards of $300,000 for nonprofit organizations, Mr. Garland said. The group was renamed the Leo Wood Steak Fry this summer.

“I have lost a friend,” Mr. Garland said. “I have lost somebody that became so close to me after I moved to Georgetown in such a meaningful way. We’ve lost a real hero.”

A funeral service for Mr. Wood is scheduled for 11 a.m., Thursday, at Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive. Those who cannot attend in-person can watch via livestream at www.ramseyfuneral.com/ web-casting. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on October 12 at the funeral home.