Our History
Locally Owned, Customer Focused
Three Generations
In 1947, C. William (Bill) Woodford began his petroleum career as a marketer for a small Gulf Oil and Tire distributor in rural Elkins, WV. He had no idea that the business would eventually grow from serving just six counties to spanning six states.
Bill took control of the business in 1962. By this time, the business had grown into a multi-brand petroleum wholesaler, selling virtually all products related to the service station business.
Bill’s son, C. Curtis (Curt) Woodford, grew up learning the business from his father and joined the company full time in 1975 after graduating from college. Curt introduced new equipment and efficiencies that made the company as competitive as larger distributors.
Although Bill passed away in 1997, the business continued to thrive under Curt, who grew Woodford Oil into a company based on honesty, integrity, and reliability. Today, Curt serves as chairman of the board.
In 2003, Todd Woodford, the third generation of Woodfords, joined the company. He quickly rose through the ranks to become vice president and chief operating officer. His insight and leadership skills invigorated Woodford Oil and put the company on the road to further growth.
Expansion
Over the past 20 years, Woodford has focused on improving its existing operations, while expanding into new territories to serve new customers.
- In 2005, Woodford Oil acquired the petroleum assets of J.D. Kiser, Inc. This family-owned distributorship, founded in 1941, was the leading supplier of fuels and lubricants to commercial and industrial customers throughout eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. The acquisition not only complemented Woodford Oil’s existing fuel operation, but also established Woodford Oil as a major distributor of lubricants throughout the Appalachian region.
- In 2006, Woodford Oil purchased the Hess Oil Company of Elkins, WV. Hess Oil, owned and operated by the Brown family, distributed the Exxon, Marathon, and BP brands to many dealers as well as serving the petroleum needs of commercial and residential customers throughout West Virginia.
- In 2008, Woodford Oil acquired Beckley Oil’s petroleum operation in Marlinton, WV. This acquisition gave Woodford Oil the opportunity to expand its distribution area.
- In 2013, Woodford Oil acquired Elite Petroleum of Danville, KY. This acquisition bolstered Woodford’s overall lubricants business as well as extending Woodford’s market footprint into central Kentucky.
- In 2015, Woodford Oil acquired Guttman Energy’s wholesale petroleum distribution business in West Virginia. This acquisition strengthened Woodford Oil’s product and service offerings to commercial, industrial and government customers in West Virginia and across Woodford’s entire six-state service area.
- In 2019, Woodford Oil expanded in the Tri-State area of northern West Virginia, southern Pennsylvania, and western Maryland by acquiring key assets from Ringer Oil, including a bulk fuel and lubricants plant in Markleysburg, PA. In a separate transaction, Woodford Oil acquired the customer fuel account business of Brock Oil Co. in Morgantown, WV. Family-owned Brock Oil had serviced the Morgantown and Tri-State area since 1961, earning a reputation as a premier supplier of petroleum fuels to convenience store, commercial, and home heating oil customers.
- In 2020, Woodford Oil expanded its operations by establishing a propane distribution business. Woodford Propane delivers propane, tanks and equipment to residential, commercial and industrial, and agriculture customers in the greater-Elkins area of West Virginia, the greater-Marlinton area of north-central West Virginia, and the Tri-State area.
- In 2023, Woodford further expanded in the Tri-State area with the acquisition of Stash Fuel Oil Inc., of Dunbar, PA. Stash Oil had serviced Fayette County, PA, and the surrounding area since 1972, and earned a reputation as a trusted supplier of heating oil, kerosene and petroleum fuels to all of its customers.
- Also in 2023, Woodford expanded its propane distribution business in northern West Virginia with the acquisition of Brown’s Mill LP Service, Inc., of Reedsville, WV. Following the acquisition, the Brown’s Mill LP Service team joined Woodford to continue the tradition of providing quality products, reliable delivery, and impeccable service to all customers.
- In 2024, Woodford announced the expansion of our business in the Mid-State/Summersville area of West Virginia. This expansion was made possible through the purchase of an existing bulk fuel and lubricants plant near Summersville formerly owned by Mid-State Industrial Lubricants Co.
Locally Owned, Customer-focused
Today, Woodford Oil Co. is one of the largest, independent, locally owned petroleum marketers in the industry, serving customers in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
We’re proud of our heritage, but we refuse to be complacent. We continue to work hard every day to improve our reputation for providing reliable, convenient service and value-priced products to all of our customers.
Contact us today for personalized service and the most competitive prices available.
