Michael Clayton Wilson

Michael Clayton Wilson was born December 9, 1981, to Vicky (Ludwig) Wilson and Michael Wilson. Michael ended up with a lot of nicknames over the years. Only a select few were allowed to call him Mikey. Mike was one of the most popular, followed by Wilson. The others are not appropriate for this biography.

Mike grew up in Neosho, Missouri. He and his younger sister Terri stuck together as much as possible through many transitions. He adored his grandparents on both sides growing up, and his Aunt Angela always had a special place in his heart. As a child, Mike played baseball and fell in love with trains; both passions grew with him into adulthood. Camping and RV traveling became two of Mike's favorite past times, especially when fishing and card playing were thrown into the mix. Some of you may not know that Mike LOVED musicals. But Mike first and foremost believed in family and the friends he considered so.

Mike met Ben's mom Elise in 2006 and together they brought Ben into the world in 2009. While they decided they would not be great married, they did become good friends and decided to co-parent Ben. Mike loved Josh, Ben's step dad, and trusted him with the title of “Dad” as well. Mike loved Ben to the max and always considered him his little buddy. Mike wanted to pass on his love for camping, fishing, video games, and board games to Ben. He had a huge heart for his son, and hoped to help him grow into an even greater human.

Mike found family in more than just bloodlines. Mike and Rob met in 1997 and immediately found humor in each other, as well as a shared love for history. Rodney was one of Mike's best friends, whom he met in 2007. Mike considered Rodney a confidant who he could say anything to. Mike met Will in 2010 and it just clicked-Mike felt a brotherhood from the start. With the addition of Will, the Sasquatch Squad, as the quartet was called, was officially formed. If any of them got together, hilarity ensued. If all of them got together: hold on. Whether it be hanging on the porch until dawn, a float trip, or even a random adulthood brunch, their laughter could be heard for miles (and that was just Mike's voice). Mike was the first to suggest Zach to be Harper's Godfather. He trusted him and appreciated Zach for his easy-going nature. Mike had so many friends that he adored and respected, but his mission was always to find a way to make them laugh.

In February of 2017, Mike jumped on Match.com and found a girl to say hi to. The message he sent simply said, “How's your evening going?” Charli immediately rolled her eyes and threw the phone to her cousins, with whom she was having a night of card playing and good jokes. Her cousins said, “You should talk to this one.” Charli responded. Three days later, Mike and Charli went on the first date, that was supposed to last for an hour or so. Nine hours later, Charli told Mike she had to go because she had to work in the morning. He walked her to her car, kissed her, and it was all over from there. Both of them spent the ride home talking on the phone to their best friends, saying that they found “the one.” Five months later, they were engaged. By October 2017 they were married. In their short time together, they found a love of card playing, traveling, camping, movie watching, and hilarious pranks.

Mike found his group of camping friends, people he considered family, to attend long weekends with. He often said he was going to purchase land adjacent to theirs. Jared, Toya, George, Bre, Jeff, and Madi were his core group. He wanted nothing but to make them laugh and do everything to make them comfortable while camping and fishing. Sometimes it was through jokes, but always through long conversations around the campfire.

In 2018, Charli and Mike decided to start trying for another child. After two short months, Charli found out she was pregnant. She bought Chiefs onesies and gave them Mike in a gift bag. He was so excited, he tackled her, as gently as possible, and let out one of the biggest smiles she had seen. Her pregnancy was difficult and they spent a lot of time in the hospital. He slept on a couch that was awkward and too short for him just so she wouldn't be alone-for almost a whole trimester. He found comfort in her nurses Carly, Carrie, and Stephanie. He made jokes with them and supplied them with chocolate and monster cookies. He wanted to take care of everyone that would let him. On August 13, 2019, Mike's second son Harper was born. He was so happy and did not stop smiling, even though Harper was born five weeks early. He took as many pictures as possible and continued cracking jokes to keep Charli smiling.

The last five months of Mike's life were full of work, which he loved. Brian and Rickie made it everything he was happy to be a part of. He found happiness in going to work and laughing with them daily. After working an 8-10 hour day, he would come home and do things that Charli couldn't do: shampoo the carpets, vacuum, clean bottles, and make meals. He did this with a smile on his face; he took great pride in taking care of his family.

The night before Mike passed, he looked at Charli and told her how happy he was. He said that he had everything he wanted and more. He found light in giving other people love and making them laugh. It was his goal to make everyone around him feel happiness. He did that, and so much more. Mike left behind a legacy of compassion, love, and laughter; one that will not soon be forgotten.