While born in Birmingham, England in 1953, Ian Wilson considers himself a Hamiltonian. Ian arrived in the Steel City at the age of three with his mother and joined his father, David, who had emigrated to Canada the year before. Ian's dad worked at Stelco and, while the manufacturing sector was booming, so was 5 pin bowling, as the automatic pinsetter was invented in 1957.

Youth leagues were beginning as well, and, in 1962, Ian joined the bourgeoning Youth Bowling Council (YBC) program at Sherwood Centre. Under the watchful eye of the late pair of Bill McIntyre and Tom Fitzpatrick and combined with the coaching of Tom Falletta, Ian learned the fundamentals that were the foundation of his bowling and coaching success.

As a twenty-two year old, in 1975, Ian made his first appearance at the Open and, in thirty-six years, Ian has bowled eleven times, coached on twelve occasions and also bowled on four senior teams. The 1984 mixed team from Hamilton were provincial champions and represented Ontario nationally. Bowling in the Canadian Championships in Saskatoon, the mixed team won the gold medal led by Coach John Conti, Ian and Hall of Famers Lloyd Ormerod, Irene Witley, and Pat Mahoney. In addition, as a coach, Ian led the 1997 Hamilton mixed team to the provincial title. However, at the national finals in Calgary, the Ontario representatives lost to Quebec. Ian also coached the Hamilton men's team that won the provincial title in 2001, but the team was unsuccessful at the Canadian Championships which were also held at Sherwood Centre. In another highlight, Ian led the qualifying round in 1991 and received the Lloyd Ormerod Trophy, awarded to the zone champion each year.

Ian joined the Mater Bowlers Association (MBAO) in 1976 and competed in the tournament division for twenty years. In 946 games, Ian averaged a creditable 251. In 1978, Ian qualified for the Ontario team and the provincial representatives won a gold medal in Calgary. In 1981, Ian won the provincial aggregate title and represented Ontario at the national championships in Ottawa. In the match play final, Ian lost to John Matthews of Manitoba. Also, through the MBAO, Ian appeared on television twice at the Rose Festival and also the Grape and Wine tournament, finishing fourth on both occasions.

Away from the Open and the Masters, Ian has been a dominant force both on and off the lanes. While bowling several 1000 triples, Ian also has two perfect games, a rare achievement. The first was bowled in 1979 in tournament play at Pla-Mor Bowl in St. Catharines. He followed that with a second 450 game during league play at Bar Don Lanes in Stoney Creek. As well, Ian has won league high average titles six times. Overall, Ian's accomplishments earned him a ranking on the Top 90 list that was produced by the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers' Association covering the first 90 years of our sport. As well as his "on lane" exploits, Ian has coached in the YBC for thirty-six years, is a Level Two Coach and is also a certified Judge of Play through the Ontario 5 Pin Bowlers' Association. To this day, Ian continues to bowl in league and Open play and offers his coaching expertise as required.

In the work force, Ian has worked as a chemical mixer at Alphagary Canada for 26 years. However, the company closed on October 14 of this year and Ian is examining his options as he faces an uncertain future. On a positive note, while his mother Jean lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Ian and his life partner, Mary Osier, continue to live in Hamilton and enjoy their involvement in their chosen sport of 5 pin bowling.