W.O. Gillenwaters

W.O. Gillenwaters was a builder and developer of residential and commercial projects in the Seminole Area, including Canterbury Chase and Williamsdale Square that continue to be some of the most valued neighborhoods decades later.  He developed a significant amount of Seminole Boulevard commercial frontage, having purchased the citrus grove property from such families as Tom Barnes when Seminole Boulevard was a two-lane road. Most of the property from 86th Avenue to Freedom Boulevard was built by W O that includes Bay Ridge Center North and South, Mohn Funeral Home and the Pinch a Penny property.

It has been said that when the home building crews were in a lull W O would use those construction staff to construct the commercial buildings and he was able to build them with no outside financing.

W O was very active in the Rotary Club of Seminole and was the first Paul Harris Fellow in that club.  He also served Rotary International as District Governor of the district that covered the area from Naples-Marco Island north through the Tampa Bay Area.