You could say Sharon Wilson is a driving force in Huntsville.

The Novar woman spends hours every day behind the wheel, getting Huntsville residents young and old to where they need to go.

As the driver of the Huntsville Transit specialty bus, Wilson has become a friend to many passengers with special needs. The majority of her customers are seniors and those in wheelchairs.

While the other town bus runs on a set schedule, Wilson picks up people who call her on the bus at 788-8118 and takes them anywhere in Huntsville.  

The single mother of two grown daughters, Tracy in Victoria, British Columbia and Kelly in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wilson is also a school bus driver for Campbell’s Bus Lines. Five days a week she drives students to Huntsville High School, Riverside and St. Mary’s from the North Waseosa area.

Wilson enjoys both jobs. On the town route, she has gotten to know many people.

“It’s sort of like a big family. You see them pretty much every day,” she says. “And the students on the school bus are great. It’s  good to see them grow — and a tremendous responsibility to ensure they arrive safely.”

The only drawback to driving a school bus, in Wilson’s mind,  is dealing with less-than-conscientious drivers on the road.

“They’re so dangerous. They cut us off and pass us when our lights are flashing,” she says, adding that she has to check  thoroughly to make sure it’s safe for kids to cross the road.

 “People need to be more careful. We’ve got precious cargo on board,” she says.

People are not the only recipients of Wilson’s care. A lover of animals, she has been on the board of the Huntsville Animal Shelter for the past ten years.

 “There’s always a need for help at the shelter,” she says. “We need funds, volunteers to walk dogs, all kinds of things. Spaying and neutering is still an issue as well.”

Wilson is full of praise for the staff at the shelter. “They work very hard. They’ll stay after hours if someone is coming to adopt or if there’s an animal that needs extra attention,” she says.

When Wilson finally makes it home at the end of a long day, she has her own dogs and cats to look after.

“I’ve rescued more animals than I can count,” she says. “That’s my passion: I’m here for the animals.”

On the other hand, she reflects, the animals are there for her too. “You can be upset and your animal will comfort you,” she explains. “It’s well known that animals have a good effect on your health.”

Riding horses also relaxes Wilson, who grew up on a farm around Stoney Creek and then Walkerton and had her own horses for many years.

“Whenever I can, I go riding,” she says.

Wilson would like to have her own horse again. She has the space but, as she puts it, “not enough days in the week.”

The eldest of nine, Wilson has remained close to her family. Their huge annual reunions are a high point for her.

“We used to hold Christmas in a community centre because there were so many of us,” she laughs. “Now we hold it in summer, on a farm so everyone can sleep in tents. We have fresh corn on the cob and all kinds of games for the kids. It’s great.”

But even her ties to her loved ones can’t pull her away from Huntsville.  

Three years ago her family members were encouraging Wilson to move closer to them in Walkerton. She spent a summer house-hunting in that area, but then she returned here and looked around.

“I love Huntsville. No matter where you are, within five minutes in any direction you can be on the water,” she says. “I looked around and I thought, ‘I can’t leave here.’”

Is there someone you’d like to see profiled in this space? Please call Paula at 789-5541 or e-mail  pboon@metrolandnorthmedia.com.