Sir William Alfred Stevenson

1 Nov

Auckland-born Bill Stevenson started work at age 17 in his father's carpentry business. In 1921 the firm bought a Model T Ford, three wheelbarrows and some picks and shovels and branched out into construction.

Stevenson took over the business after his father fell ill and later brought in his three sons.

During World War II W Stevenson & Sons was awarded several key military contracts, and after the war, it won major infrastructure contracts.

Bill Stevenson's other achievements were equally impressive. He was a national single and double skulls rowing champion, one of the country's leading sports administrators at international events overseas, an accomplished horse breeder and a generous donor to good causes.