Woodrow Wilson Wolf was born January 22, 1912 to James Alexander "Shorty" Wolf and Pearl Wolf (Smith) in Mountain Home, Arkansas. By 1920 the family had moved to Cisco, Eastland, Texas. In 1921 when Wilson was 9 they moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma where his parents ran a grocery. During the time period of prohibition and then the great depression the family was involved with making moonshine and bootlegging. Nearly everyone spent some time in jail and or prison.

In 1930 Wilson was implicated in the murder of a drugstore clerk. Wilson had traveled to Wichita, Kansas with his older brother Delbert (who had just broken out of jail) and a group of friends, including his future wife Grace Hall. During the time period of the trip a drugstore was robbed for $50 and the clerk was shot dead. They were all arrested but only Delbert and friend Raymon Brown stood trial. They were convicted with only circumstantial evidence and sentenced to life in prison. Later another man confessed to the crime (but later recanted). Delbert and Raymon granted clemency years later.

Wilson married Grace Hall in 1931. She was convicted of robbery that same year and sent to prison. They divorced in 1934.

Wilson then married Opal Etta Anderson. The couple moved to Los Angeles California and had 3 children; Thomas, Geraldine and Robert. Wilson and Opal both worked for a hotel, Wilson as a barboy and Opal as a maid. His father James was living with them in 1940.

In 1942 the family moved to Gold Hill, Oregon. His brother Oscar had moved to that area years before in 1931.

Wilson was killed in a tragic rollover car accident November 23, 1944. He was driving with his brother Oscar on their way home late at night. Wilson was thrown from the car and died on the way to the hospital. Oscar survived with minor injuries. Wilson left behind his widow Opal and 3 young children. Opal married Kenneth William Kretzinger in 1937. He adopted the children who took the last name Kretzinger.