WINSTEAD PAINE “W.P.” Bone III began his career in the automobile business by washing cars at Wilson County Motors, his father’s dealership. “I was paid in nickels and dimes out of the Coke machine,” Bone recalled. “But the value of a job well done made it seem like riches.”
From this modest beginning — with a drive that eventually led him to climb to Mt. Everest Base Camp — Bone rose to new heights in the automotive industry and beyond.
He graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in 1958. He went on to serve in the United States Army as a cryptographer, cryptanalyst, and military intelligence specialist, completing tours in Japan, Korea, and Germany. Following his military service, he returned to Lebanon and earned an associate of arts degree from Cumberland University and a bachelor’s degree from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.
The Bone family’s heritage is rooted deeply in the soil of Lebanon. Bone’s father, Winstead Paine Jr., started Wilson County Motors in 1927, and Bone’s grandfather, Winstead Paine Bone, served as president of Cumberland University from 1909 to 1914.
In 1969, W.P. joined his father at the dealership, which specialized in Chevrolet and Buick vehicles. Over time, he expanded this to include Wilson County Hyundai and GMC.
“We have been extremely successful in serving the automobile needs of individuals and families in Lebanon and beyond the Middle Tennessee region. Our success has allowed me and my family to give back in so many ways,” W.P. said. “Spending time with all of the employees and learning the ins and outs of the dealership allowed me and the company to provide the best services possible to our customers and the community.”
The Society of Financial Services Professionals honored W.P. in 2004 by awarding the dealership the American Business Ethics Award. In 2016, the Better Business Bureau awarded him the Torch Award for Ethical Commerce in Middle Tennessee.
Deeply supportive of education, W.P. served from 2016 to 2023 as chairman of the Board of Trust for his alma mater, Cumberland University. This year also marks the 28th year of co-sponsoring the Wilson County Teacher of the Year program with CedarStone Bank. Since its beginning, they have recognized and presented awards to over 500 of the best teachers in Wilson County.
W.P. has also been involved with the Lebanon Rotary Club and the Boy Scouts of America. In 2020, he was selected as one of 50 dealers across the country and was honored at the 103rd annual National Automobile Dealers Association show in Las Vegas. This award is considered one of the most prestigious and highly sought-after honors in the automobile industry.
On March 3, 2020, right before COVID-19 shuttered several businesses, the dealership took a direct hit from an EF3 tornado. The showroom of the Chevrolet dealership, finance offices, customer lobby, and numerous other offices suffered catastrophic damage. During this time, they remained open for their customers, though it took over a year to rebuild the buildings.
W.P.’s two sons, Mitchell and Paine, who are partners in the business, will carry their father and grandfather’s torches into the automotive future. “These accolades mean so much to my family, and most of all, to our customers,” W.P. said. “We detail our charges for each customer, and we stand by our promises in writing. These values are handed down by my predecessors, and I truly believe that this is one of the clearest reasons we have been in business here since 1927.”
Over the years, W.P. has developed and nurtured relationships with customers, employees, and everyone he meets in Lebanon. He calls this the “special sauce.” This phrase, he said, is best described in the Wilson County Mission Statement: “Our goal is to operate a business that provides an excellent and memorable guest experience. We will professionally provide quality products and services in a friendly and honest way. We will maintain our profitability so as to be good stewards to our team members and our communities. We will encourage community involvement that will be a benefit to those less fortunate and foster positive growth.”
Wilson County Motors offers a complete lineup of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Hyundai vehicles tailored to meet the needs of families, commuters, and business owners alike. From rugged Silverados to sleek Buick SUVs and innovative electric-powered models like the GMC Hummer and Chevrolet Equinox, they provide a wide range of options backed by competitive financing and personalized service.
Their certified service centers ensure that every new or pre-owned vehicle receives top-notch care. Beyond the showroom, Wilson County Motors stands out for its commitment to its community. Their dealerships are not just a place to buy your next vehicle — they have partnered with us to continue building a stronger community for everyone. GN
Visit Wilson County Motors online at www.wilsoncountymotors.com and www.wilsoncountyhyundai.com. Their site features current inventory, service options, financing tools, and special offers — all designed to make your car-buying experience smooth and personalized.
