Gary Lee Wilson

Gary Lee Wilson, 86, of Leslie, Michigan, passed away on July 15, 2026, while caring for the beautiful property that he and his beloved wife, Ginny, had lovingly created together over three decades. Born on October 13, 1939, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan, Gary was the son of Doris Alice Thrasher and Dale Henry Anway. At the age of eighteen, he was lovingly adopted by his stepfather, Fred L. Wilson, whose name Gary proudly carried for the remainder of his life.

Raised in Lansing, Gary's childhood was humble and shaped by perseverance, resilience, and an appreciation for life's simple blessings. Perhaps because he understood what it meant to grow up with very little, Gary was determined that his children and grandchildren would never question how deeply they were loved. He attended Eastern High School and in 1957, while “cruising the gut" in downtown Lansing, Gary met the love of his life, Virginia Mary "Ginny" Schultz. What began as a chance encounter became one of the great partnerships of a lifetime. They were married on August 1, 1958, at Christ Lutheran Church in Lansing, where Gary was also baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith. Together they shared nearly sixty-eight years of unwavering love, loyalty, laughter, and partnership.

Their marriage was grounded in love, mutual respect, enduring commitment, and a quiet faith in God that sustained them throughout every season of life. While Gary and Ginny experienced profound heartbreak through the loss of several children during their lives, their faith in God, their unwavering devotion to one another, and the love of their family carried them through life's greatest joys and deepest sorrows. Through every blessing and every trial, they faced life hand in hand.

In the early 1970s, Gary and Ginny bought a farm house in Grand Ledge, MI that they lovingly restored to a beautiful home to raise their children in, where they lived until 1996.

Gary began his career in the heating and air conditioning industry as a young man, where his natural ability to connect with people quickly distinguished him. Blessed with remarkable sales ability, practical knowledge, and an unwavering work ethic, he and Ginny founded G.L. Wilson Heating & Air Conditioning on November 1, 1975, at 325 North Larch Street in Lansing.

The company quickly earned a reputation for exceptional workmanship, honesty, and customer service. Gary believed a handshake still meant something. He believed customers deserved to be treated fairly, employees deserved respect, and a person's integrity was worth far more than any contract. One of his lasting contributions was the phrase "Blue Ribbon Service," a promise of excellence that proudly appeared on every company service vehicle. More than thirty years after selling the business, G.L. Wilson Heating & Air Conditioning continues to operate under the name Gary established, and the Blue Ribbon Service logo remains a lasting reminder of his commitment to quality and caring for every customer.

After selling G.L. Wilson Heating & Air Conditioning in 1993, Gary and Ginny embraced a well-earned season of adventure. They spent months traveling throughout the United States, enjoying the freedom they had earned after years of sacrifice and hard work. They explored new places, made lifelong memories, and simply enjoyed being together.

Retirement, however, lasted only long enough for Gary's entrepreneurial spirit to begin searching for another challenge.

On June 1, 1995, Gary and Ginny took ownership of Wilson True Value in Munith, Michigan. The business included a hardware store, gas station, and convenience store and quickly became a valued part of the community. Once again, they built something special through honesty, hard work, and genuine care for the people they served.

Wilson True Value was truly a family business. Nearly every member of the family worked there at one time or another, including their children, children's spouses, and several grandchildren. Gary never believed he was above any job. Whether stocking shelves, helping customers find the right tool, filling propane tanks, sweeping floors, unloading deliveries, or working behind the register, he led by example. He never expected anyone to do a job he wasn't willing to do himself.

In 1996, Gary and Ginny began their next great project together—a beautiful ten-acre property near Leslie, Michigan. Over the years, they transformed it into far more than a home. It became the place where generations of family gathered, traditions were born, and countless memories were made.

The home was always alive. Holidays filled every room with laughter, spirited conversations, children's excitement, wonderful meals prepared by Ginny, and the simple joy of being together. It became the place everyone looked forward to visiting because family was always the center of everything Gary and Ginny built.

Gary was a man of conviction whose words carried weight. He believed in saying what he meant and meaning what he said. There was never any pretense or hidden agenda—if Gary spoke, you always knew exactly where he stood. His honesty was unwavering, his handshake meant something, and he believed that a person's word was one of the most valuable things they possessed.

He expected hard work, personal responsibility, and respect from those around him because he lived those values every day.

Gary loved his country deeply and took quiet pride in displaying the American flag and the bald eagle, symbols that reflected both his patriotism and his appreciation for the freedoms he cherished.

To his children, Gary was the epitome of a good dad. He was present, most times patient, but always loving. He believed one of the greatest responsibilities of being a father was preparing his children for life. Whether teaching them how to maintain a home, work with their hands, solve problems, care for their families, or simply do the right thing when no one was watching, Gary led by example. He celebrated their successes, stood beside them through life's challenges, and never stopped believing in their potential.

As his family grew, Gary embraced his role as "Grandpa" with the same unwavering devotion. He treasured every opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, whether teaching them to fish, taking trips “up north”, or simply sharing stories and laughter in the pole barn. Gary understood that life's greatest moments deserved to be remembered.

He found tremendous joy watching his grandchildren grow into adults, establish families of their own, and become parents themselves. Nothing made him prouder than seeing the values he had worked so hard to instill continue into another generation.

Gary is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of nearly 68 years, Virginia "Ginny" Mary (Schultz) Wilson of Leslie, Michigan; his devoted daughter, Teresa Michele (Wilson) Tegels and her husband, Patrick, of Pinckney, Michigan; his grandchildren, Timothy James (Sara) Wilson of Lansing, Michigan, Gary Robert (Tabitha) Wilson of Nunica, Michigan, Curtis Wade (Amber) Wilson of Stockbridge, Michigan, Hunter Michael Puhr of Jackson, Michigan, and Mary Katherine Elizabeth Tegels of Pinckney, Michigan; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Aydin, Tristan, Easton, Lilli, Mia, Craig, Timothy and Cody. He also leaves behind his ever loyal dog, Ellie May.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Doris Alice Thrasher, Dale Henry Anway, and his adoptive father, Fred L. Wilson; his beloved sons, Gary Lee Wilson Jr., Larry Lyn Wilson, Timothy Lee Wilson, Jerry Todd Wilson, and Michael Wilson; and his brothers, Jack Dale Anway, Donald Charles "Joe" Wilson, and Kenrick Wilson.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Gary's life on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 East Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 12:00 noon, officiated by Pastor Craig Goodlock. Interment will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 2600 East Mount Hope Avenue, Lansing, Michigan.

Gary spent a lifetime building. He built businesses that earned the trust of their communities. He built a home where generations gathered to celebrate life's greatest moments. He built traditions that will continue long into the future. He built confidence in those he mentored, responsibility in those he taught, and memories that his family will treasure forever.

His greatest legacy, however, is not found in the businesses he founded, the workshop he loved, the photographs he captured, or the beautiful property he and Ginny created together. It lives on in the lives of the people he loved. His integrity, work ethic, quiet faith in God, unwavering devotion to family, and willingness to lead by example continue to shape the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and neighbors whose lives were forever changed by knowing him.

To his family, he will always be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father, a treasured Grandpa, and, as those who knew him best so affectionately called him—

The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

While the phrase was often shared with a smile, it reflected something much deeper. Gary's larger-than-life personality, unwavering principles, remarkable work ethic, quiet faith in God, and deep love for his family made him a man whose stories will be told for generations. To his grandchildren, employees, friends, and all those fortunate enough to know him, he truly earned the title.