From an early age, Ben Wilson loved being outdoors. The story of Wilson Services really began when he was just nine years old. While a neighbor was away on vacation, Ben stepped in to mow their lawn. Before long, word spread throughout the neighborhood, and what started as one yard quickly turned into several.

Those early years came with their own challenges. Growing a lawn care business is no easy task when you're too young to drive, but with the help of his parents, Ben was able to serve customers beyond his neighborhood. What began as a way to earn extra money soon became something much more—a passion for hard work, serving others, and creating beautiful outdoor spaces.

When Ben turned sixteen, new opportunities opened the door for growth as he was able to expand his service area and take on more customers. In 2015, Wilson Services was officially incorporated, laying the foundation for the company we continue to build today.

Around 2017, Wilson Services reached an exciting milestone by securing its first commercial customer. That opportunity marked the beginning of lasting relationships with businesses and organizations throughout Central Illinois.

As those relationships grew, so did the needs of our customers. What started with mowing and landscape maintenance naturally expanded into commercial snow removal. Then, in 2023, another significant chapter began when Ben purchased the former Beck's warehouse and acquired the commercial division of the business. This expansion allowed Wilson Services to grow beyond exterior services, adding interior plantscapes, special event rentals and florals, and commercial holiday décor to better serve our customers year-round.

That same year, another opportunity helped shape the future of our company. Wilson Services was selected to maintain the exterior grounds at Dozer Park. Through that relationship, we were entrusted with additional responsibilities inside the stadium, maintaining the playing field itself. Around the same time, we began providing athletic field fertilization services at Bradley University's Shea Stadium, along with several local high school athletic fields.

As demand continued to grow, so did our expertise. Over the next two years, we assumed more athletic field maintenance responsibilities, expanding our services to include everything from field painting to fertilization and more.

We didn't grow alone. Every step of our journey has been shaped by the trust of our customers, the support of our community, and the partnerships we've built along the way.

We're proud to work with organizations including the Catholic Diocese of Peoria, the Peoria Rivermen, Discover Peoria, the Peoria Chiefs, the Peoria Civic Center, and Wildlife Prairie Park—organizations that help make Central Illinois such a special place to live and work.

Our growth has also included the acquisition of Reeser Lawn Care & Landscaping, allowing us to expand our reach while continuing to provide the dependable, relationship-driven service our customers have come to expect.

While Wilson Services has grown tremendously since those first neighborhood lawns, one thing has never changed—our culture.

We're proud to foster a family-oriented atmosphere where employees are valued, teamwork is encouraged, and relationships come first. We believe great service starts with great people, and we strive to make every customer feel like part of the Wilson Services family.

Recognition has never been our goal, but we're grateful to have our commitment to quality, service, and our community acknowledged along the way.

In 2018, Wilson Services received the Orchid Award from Keep Peoria Beautiful in recognition of our commitment to enhancing our community. In 2025, we were honored to receive the Small Business of the Year Award from the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce.

As we continue to grow, we're committed to staying true to the values that have guided us from the very beginning: hard work, integrity, strong relationships, and a genuine passion for serving our community. Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team that makes it possible. Today, our team of approximately 49 employees, supported by 22 vehicles and equipment, allows us to continue serving more customers throughout Central Illinois while staying true to the values that started it all.