John Wilson Grant, the managing director of popular building merchants JW Grant has passed away aged 58.

Tributes have been paid to the well-respected Paisley businessman who passed away on Monday morning following a short illness. 

In a statement from the company last night,Grant was remembered as a "caring and loving man who enjoyed spending time with his wife Anne and his five children who adored him."

J W Grant went on to say: "It is with great sadness that we write to inform you that our Managing Director, John Wilson Grant passed away yesterday morning after a short illness.

"John will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He was a loving and caring man who enjoyed spending time with his wife Anne and their five children who adored him.

"John will also be missed by the wider Scottish Builders Merchants community where he was well known and respected by all of the leading individuals in the industry.

"John was a very popular and likeable man who will be remembered for many things including his sense of humour, his dry wit and incredibly sharp judgement.

"John was as sharp as a tac when it came to the business and kept his eye on the ball every minute of the day. He was always on hand to offer excellent advice when it came to making decisions which were in the company’s best interest.

"All of our family have been overwhelmed by the many, many messages of condolence and support today from our customers some of whom have known John since he became involved in the business 45 years ago.

"Finally, it is testament to the esteem in which John was held by all of his employees that the atmosphere in our branches yesterday and today has been genuinely sombre, some taking a quiet moment to reflect on the passing of a man who was not only their employer but for many, a friend."

The Paisley based firm also have branches on Glasgow's Maryhill Road, Coatbridge and Kilmarnock. 

Grant had been involved with the family-run company for 45 years and will be remembered for being "sharp as a tack" when it came to running the business. 

He was also a well known and respected figure in the Scottish Building Merchants community.

Scott Gibson, managing director of Beatson's Building Supplies said: "This has come as a real shock to everyone and we at Beatsons Building Supplies would like to pass our deepest condolences to the Grant family at this very sad time.

"John was for sure a real professional business man coupled with with being a real character in the building merchant industry. John will be sorely missed by all at this sad time. Thoughts are with everyone in the Grant family at this sad time."