His fifth three-year term as a director ended in November but he was not well enough to attend the annual meeting in south Waikato, where he lived and farmed at Te Awamutu.
Wilson had an eventful six years as chairman from 2012 to 2018 during which the co-operative had a major, costly botulism scare, made its most expensive foray into China and fell from its highest milk payout to its lowest (inflation-adjusted) over three tumultuous seasons.
He was the inaugural Fonterra Shareholders’ Council chairman from 2001 to 2003, was the farmer-director charged with developing and introducing Trading Among Farmers in 2012 and also shepherded major governance and representation changes into the constitution in 2015-16.
As always in the dairy industry, none of the issues and reforms were resolved harmoniously but Wilson was a tenacious, courteous and indefatigable leader until illness struck.
Aged 54 at his death he had devoted more than half his adult life to dairy industry representation and spent countless days and nights away from his wife Belinda and their four daughters.
As chairman of the biggest exporter in the country Wilson was a passionate advocate for free trade and for farmer co-operatives and participated in many trade missions.
Current chairman John Monaghan, also a long-serving director and former council chairman, paid tribute to his friend and predecessor.
“We owe John Wilson and his family a debt of gratitude for all the time, energy and sheer hard graft he gave us as a farmer-owner, inaugural chairman of the council on merger, as a farmer-director from 2003 and as our chairman from 2012.
“John always brought dedication, commitment and deep dairy knowledge to each of the representation and governance roles in which he served.
“On behalf of his fellow farmers he was the ultimate advocate for what we stand for.
“We have lost a friend, colleague, leader and champion for our industry much too soon.
“Our thoughts and deep gratitude for all that he contributed go to his family and friends,” Monaghan said.
“John always brought dedication, commitment and deep dairy knowledge to each of the representation and governance roles in which he served.
“On behalf of his fellow farmers he was the ultimate advocate for what we stand for.
“He would never back down from going at something head on if he believed it was important.
“He always looked ahead and focused on finding a way through the tough times that would protect Fonterra’s farmers, sharemilkers and their families.
“Bringing farmers solutions, not problems was always his mindset,” Monaghan said.
Funeral details have not been finalised but it might be held in Hamilton on Saturday.
