She returned home with three gold medals: 100m, 200m and 400m, in the 50-54 years section in Lyon, and also won a unique bronze medal in the masters 50-plus 400m in Beijing.
Wilson was given the rare opportunity to compete at the same event as the best athletes in the world after organisers added the women's 50-plus 400m and the men's 50-plus 800m races to the schedule.
She spent a few days at the Beijing National Stadium, otherwise known as the Bird's Nest, before competing, and got the chance to watch and meet some of the big names, including Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.
''To compete on the world stage like that was just insane,'' Wilson said.
''Really cool to be there for a few days beforehand to get a feel for the place and to feel like we belonged there as athletes.
''The actual experience, it's ... something I never thought would happen.''
Competing in front of so many people did not faze Wilson, who she said it was like any other race once the starting gun went.
She was content with her third place finish, but admitted to making a mistake by going out too fast over the first 100m.
''Just that little bit extra at the beginning took it out of me at the end,'' she said.
However, it was still a fine effort from the pre-school teacher and Sport Otago co-ordinator, who took up athletics only nine years ago.
She clocked 62.54sec in the race, which was won by Sarah Cayton, of Great Britain, in 60.05sec.
Cayton's compatriot Virginia Mitchell was second in 60.81sec, and both have been running since they were 13.
After winning gold in the 400m and bronze in the 100m and 200m two years ago in Brazil, Wilson's main focus in France was to defend her 400m title.
''Getting the 100m and 200m first was just amazing and not something I expected,'' she said.
''I had the experience of the national anthem three times, and it never gets old. It's always incredible.''
Wilson plans to take a few weeks off from training before gearing up for the track season, which starts early next month.
