John Wilson was initially hired at Big Rock Valley Farms to assist with grounds maintenance and its hay operation. He was also a heavy equipment operator and ran Big Rock Valley’s sawmill, as well as assisting with carpentry and building maintenance. One of his many projects included building the black fence. Built when Ed Lowe began a breeding program for a line of pure, black quarter horses, this fence ran nearly two miles around a portion of Big Rock Valley.

Wilson earned his nickname partly because of his height, but also because his son, John, worked at Big Rock Valley. An outdoor enthusiast, Wilson loved to hunt deer and raccoon. When he retired, his colleagues chipped in and bought him a Remington 22-caliber rifle as a parting gift.