(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)Michael Eugene Wilson, age 74, passed on to glory Sunday August 15, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Mike was born to Gene Cleveland and Barbara Lou Merrell on May 26, 1947, in Reeds, Missouri. He was raised and adopted by his stepfather, Wilbert William Wilson, whom he called “dad”.
He graduated from Duenweg High School in 1965 and was Salutatorian of his graduating class. Mike enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from 1965 to 1971. He was always proud of his service and very patriotic.
Upon returning home Mike attended college at Missouri Southern, and later graduated from Missouri Southern State College. He married Judith Patterson in October of 1968 in Joplin, Missouri. She preceded him in death on June 1, 2005.
After returning home from the Air Force, Mike worked for Brown’s Manufacturing as a draftsman before going to work for the Empire District Electric Company. He retired after 42 years of service. After retiring, he worked as a substitute teacher in the area school districts.
On September 2, 2006, Mike married Melissa Anne Hastings in Oronogo, Missouri. Mike grew up Southern Baptist, and accepted Jesus as his personal Savior at five years of age. He served in the capacity of deacon and treasurer at First Baptist Church Oronogo. He later moved to Rogersville, Missouri and served as deacon at Stonebridge Church. Most recently Mike was a member and served on the ‘Dream Team’ as a greeter, at James River Church.
Mike loved helping as an assistant Scout Master & Wood Badge Instructor. He was president of the Joplin little league baseball program for many years. He was an amateur Ham Radio operator. He worked with Campers on Mission and Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, staying in Mississippi and Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for several months at a time, as well as working in Joplin after the 2011 tornado. Mike was a friend to everyone and always willing to help anyone. He had many hobbies but loved collecting anything having to do with the American Bison. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, which is how he met the love of his life. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and was the quintessential “Papa”. His every thought and action was geared toward loving Jesus and loving his family. He was a great storyteller and loved telling dad jokes. His jolly smile and laugh brightened any room that he entered, and he often dressed like Santa and handed out candy canes to the special education students in the classrooms where he worked as a substitute teacher.
Survivors include his wife, Melissa Wilson of the home, his son Joshua Wilson and wife Aundrea of West Plains, Missouri; his son Taylor McCoskey and wife Bonnie of Decatur, Illinois; his daughter Alyssa Parrigon and husband Justin of Ozark, Missouri; his grandchildren Madalynn Wilson, Isaac Wilson, Tucker Wilson, Megan Wilson, Jace McCoskey, Rhys McCoskey, Abigail Parrigon, Lydia Parrigon, Marlowe McCoskey, Macklin McCoskey, and Magnolia Parrigon; his brother Randy Wilson and wife Carrie of Webb City, Missouri, his sister Debby Beck and husband Charlie of Fountain, Colorado, several half siblings that he met throughout his life, and numerous nieces and nephews that were dear to him.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and three grandchildren, Zoe McCoskey, West McCoskey and Silas Wilson, who are undoubtedly now snuggled up with their Papa in the beloved ‘papacliner’ in heaven.
The family will receive friends at Greenlawn South funeral home in Springfield, MO on Monday August 23, 2021, from 11:30 to 12:30. Funeral services will follow visitation at Greenlawn at 12:30. Burial with military honors will be immediately following the service, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield.
Memorial donations are suggested to Missouri Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Fund in Jefferson City. 100% of the donated funds go to Disaster Relief efforts. https://Mobaptist.org
After returning home from the Air Force, Mike worked for Brown’s Manufacturing as a draftsman before going to work for the Empire District Electric Company. He retired after 42 years of service. After retiring, he worked as a substitute teacher in the area school districts.
On September 2, 2006, Mike married Melissa Anne Hastings in Oronogo, Missouri. Mike grew up Southern Baptist, and accepted Jesus as his personal Savior at five years of age. He served in the capacity of deacon and treasurer at First Baptist Church Oronogo. He later moved to Rogersville, Missouri and served as deacon at Stonebridge Church. Most recently Mike was a member and served on the ‘Dream Team’ as a greeter, at James River Church.
Mike loved helping as an assistant Scout Master & Wood Badge Instructor. He was president of the Joplin little league baseball program for many years. He was an amateur Ham Radio operator. He worked with Campers on Mission and Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, staying in Mississippi and Louisiana during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina for several months at a time, as well as working in Joplin after the 2011 tornado. Mike was a friend to everyone and always willing to help anyone. He had many hobbies but loved collecting anything having to do with the American Bison. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, which is how he met the love of his life. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and was the quintessential “Papa”. His every thought and action was geared toward loving Jesus and loving his family. He was a great storyteller and loved telling dad jokes. His jolly smile and laugh brightened any room that he entered, and he often dressed like Santa and handed out candy canes to the special education students in the classrooms where he worked as a substitute teacher.
Survivors include his wife, Melissa Wilson of the home, his son Joshua Wilson and wife Aundrea of West Plains, Missouri; his son Taylor McCoskey and wife Bonnie of Decatur, Illinois; his daughter Alyssa Parrigon and husband Justin of Ozark, Missouri; his grandchildren Madalynn Wilson, Isaac Wilson, Tucker Wilson, Megan Wilson, Jace McCoskey, Rhys McCoskey, Abigail Parrigon, Lydia Parrigon, Marlowe McCoskey, Macklin McCoskey, and Magnolia Parrigon; his brother Randy Wilson and wife Carrie of Webb City, Missouri, his sister Debby Beck and husband Charlie of Fountain, Colorado, several half siblings that he met throughout his life, and numerous nieces and nephews that were dear to him.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and three grandchildren, Zoe McCoskey, West McCoskey and Silas Wilson, who are undoubtedly now snuggled up with their Papa in the beloved ‘papacliner’ in heaven.
The family will receive friends at Greenlawn South funeral home in Springfield, MO on Monday August 23, 2021, from 11:30 to 12:30. Funeral services will follow visitation at Greenlawn at 12:30. Burial with military honors will be immediately following the service, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield.
Memorial donations are suggested to Missouri Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Fund in Jefferson City. 100% of the donated funds go to Disaster Relief efforts. https://Mobaptist.org
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