Michael Eugene Wilson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael E. Wilson on April 4, 2025. He died peacefully in his home, with his wife by his side. Mike was a boisterous personality and all that had the pleasure of knowing him will miss his many jokes and the unmistakable sound of his laughter.

Mike began his life on October 25, 1950, in Benkelman, Nebraska, the first child of Jack and Ina Wilson. He spent his childhood in Nebraska with his parents, his sister, Peg and brother, Kevin where he played football and basketball before graduating from Perkins County High School in 1969 and enlisting in the Army. He completed Airborne and Special Forces training in the Spring of 1970 and was sent to fight in the Vietnam War. Mike was a quiet hero, who served valiantly before his honorable discharge.

Mike spent time on road crews and selling insurance before his long career as an over-the-road truck driver and then finally as a city bus driver with RTD in Denver, Colorado. It is there that he met his wife Barbara, a fellow driver herself. He asked her out several times before she would say yes to a date, but afterwards they were inseparable. Mike and Barbara traveled, gardened, played cards and other games, hosted “Happy Hour” with friends and neighbors, laughed and shared a great friendship together for the last twenty-two years. They’ve both said numerous times that they are each other’s love of a lifetime. Mike and Barbara’s combined family included five children, fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mike is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons, Michael Boyer and Jeremy Wilson; daughter, Lo Stone (Kenny); daughters-in-law, Kelli Wilson and Perla Perez; grandchildren, Madason Wilson (Connor), Brandon Wilson, Parker Wilson, Brooklyn Wilson, Jazmin Wilson, Katie Boyer (Matt), Taryn Smith, Payton Grant (Wesley), Jay Young, Archer Young-Stone (Olive), Rhy Stone, Julianna Stone and Lilly Stone; great-grandchildren, Ryan Hoffman-Boyer, Makayla Boyer, and Mason Grant; sister, Peg Hatch; brother, Kevin Wilson (Julie); uncle, Ted Richard as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death and welcomed into Heaven by parents, Jack and Ina Wilson; son, Adam Wilson; daughter, Alisa Yeazel; aunt, Karen Richard; and grandson, Trevor Boyer.

A memorial for Mike will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday May 2, 2025 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, followed by a reception at Am Vets Post 2, 2818 5th Ave, Des Moines, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In honor of his generous spirit, the family asks that donations be made to the AmVets Post 2 or the Iowa ARL.

The family encourages everyone to wear red to the memorial service for Mike’s beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers, however it’s not a requirement for entrance.

Although Mike is no longer with us, his legacy of laughter will live on, and he will be missed by all.

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