MEMBER PROFILE
For over 65 years, George Wilson, the founder
of G.W. Construction Ltd., has paved the way to
success in construction, literally and figuratively
By Jess Campbell
It’s not often that you hear a person quote Tommy Douglas today. But when you’ve got
George Wilson of G.W. Construction Limited (G.W. Construction) on the phone, that’s
the 92-year-old’s opening greeting.
“If you remember what Tommy Douglas said years ago, ‘I’m bleedin’ but still alive!’” Wilson
laughs heartily. “That’s what he used to say when people asked how he was!”
Wilson is most certainly alive and well, and continues to play the lead role in the con-struction
business he founded over 65 years ago. Starting out as, “one gravel truck,” G.W.
Construction continues to flourish under its third generation with Wilson’s grandson, for-mer
Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association Chairman Sean Wilson, poised to car-ry
forward his legacy. The company may have had humble beginnings but its future couldn’t
look any brighter.
Back in the day
He was in his mid-teens when Wilson had the idea for starting his first business, a mink ranch.
“In my early days, when I left school at age 14, there was nothing. There was no money,
there was nothing nowhere,” he says.
“So I decided in the early ’40s to get into fur farming. Germany, France, Europe, they were
buying furs and paying a big price. I was 16 and built it up from nothing.”
As humble as the beginnings of Wilson’s career may have been, they didn’t stay that way
for very long. He kept ranching for 12 years – while still, “wild and single,” he says – until
Continued on page 19
PHOTOS COURTESY OF G.W. CONSTRUCTION LTD.
A G.W. Construction Ltd.
road crew at work
George Wilson with his grand- and great-grandchildren. Left to right: Devin,
Sean, Danielle, George, Sadia, Burke (held by Sadia), Jaxon and Cara (in front).
Missing are granddaughter Megan and great-granddaughter Gracie.
saskheavy.ca | Quarter 3 2016 | Think BIG 17
/saskheavy.ca