Ilston met his wife
Doreen at Kitscoty and the two wed in 1949. The couple raised four sons
and one daughter and today the family has grown to include five grandsons.
Over the years, Ilston
gained experience in many areas, working for such Lloydminster businesses as:
Cole's Insurance, Steve Jakubiec Insurance, in the field of banking, bookkeeper
at RJR Noyes, and real estate. For a number of years Ilston and Doreen
owned and operated the North End Grocery. This was a business venture,
which included the whole family taking an active part until the business was
sold. The Plants, in partnership with Jack Allen, ran the Kentucky Fried
Chicken business for a time and then sold their share of the business to the
Aliens.
Ilston's strong sense
of responsibility and interest in community and civic affairs led him to serve
in venous areas including fifteen years as a member of the School Board and many
years on the Regional Parks Board of Saskatchewan, the final term spent as
president of Saskatchewan Parks.
These experiences in
many areas of work and business management helped to prepare Ilston for the
challenges of becoming, in 1994, mayor of the City of Lloydminster. During his first
term he was instrumental, along with his council, in bringing about many changes
and improvements. The city took over ownership of the Airport. in the
downtown sector, the
Streetscapes Company was formed. Parking meters were removed for the
convenience of shoppers. Snow removal was stepped up on city
streets. This was all accomplished with no increase in taxes to the
property owners.
Ilston has attended
as many openings and city-related functions as possible. Serving on
various committees, he currently chairs the Pioneer Lodge Board.
Throughout the city's rapid growth, he and his council managed to make lots
available for construction purposes and with a view to attracting new businesses
to the city, he has held discussions with various company representatives. With
Ilston's assistance and approval, the Kwianis Club was able to bring the first
major Air Show to Lloydminster. Then in 1997, the Alberta Summer Games became an
other highly successful community event, accomplished with Ilston's choice of
Vic Juba as chairman and the wonderful cooperation of the citizens of
Lloydminster. Ilston is at the beginning of his second term in office and
looks forward to the challenges ahead.