Submit a PhotoDue to current social distancing requirements, funeral services and visitation at the LDS Partridge Ward Building, 4346 South Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85297 will be limited to family only.
However, all are invited to watch services via live stream on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:00 am Arizona time. Please use the following link: https://youtu.be/3qOs2q0XHr4
Michael Alan Wilson, 72, of Gilbert, Arizona passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and children, on Sunday, July 5, 2020, after fighting a valiant 19 month battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born on April 8, 1948, in Santa Monica, California to Woodrow Wilson and Lillian Bodine Wilson. Mike had a happy, carefree childhood growing up with his two brothers, David (Barbara) and Lynn (Lucy) in Mar Vista, California. When he was 15 years old, he and his family moved to Springdale, Utah, at the mouth of Zion National Park. While there, he attended 4 years at Hurricane High School and graduated in 1965. The family then moved to Culver City, California and Mike attended Santa Monica City College. He enjoyed playing halfback on the football team there. In 1967, Mike was called to serve in the Western States Mission, which at that time had the largest area of any mission in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After his mission, Mike attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It was there, he met his future sweetheart, Arleen Woolf Wilson. Their first date was October 31, 1969; he asked Arleen to marry him in December 1969, and they were married in the Mesa, Arizona temple on March 27, 1970. After graduating from BYU, Mike attended Thunderbird Graduate School of International Business, then worked for Valley National Bank in Sedona, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ. After 2 years living in Eagar, AZ and working as the Sales Manager for Allred Chevrolet, Mike started his 40-year career as a State Farm Insurance Agent in Mesa, AZ. Mike loved serving his clients over the years, and he considered them all personal friends.
Mike was never one to desire a huge social life. He was fully devoted to his family. He loved his wife, Arleen, of 50 years; his 5 children, Rachael Wilson of Gilbert, AZ; Monica Coates (Warren) of Queen Creek, AZ; Ben (Sarah) of Waxahachie, TX; Jake (Tanya) of Gilbert, AZ; Blake (fiancé Brittany French) of Scottsdale, AZ; and his 11 grandchildren: Cody, Preston, Tyler, Dane, Peytan, Carter, Caleb, Aysli, Cash, Goldie and Rock. Mike also loved the temple, service, the scriptures, scouting, travel, guns, Judge Judy, Perry Mason, his career, and mostly spending time with his family.
During the last few weeks Mike has been surrounded by loved ones where there has been an abundance of love, prayers, tears and tender service. He was a warrior in every aspect of his life. His legacy is strong and his love lives on forever through his dedicated wife, children, and grandchildren.
Mike will rest in the Mesa, AZ City Cemetery; Funeral arrangements are handled by Gilbert Memorial Park , 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297; gilbertmemorialpark.com; 480-935-5858;
Due to current social distancing requirements, funeral services and visitation at the LDS Partridge Ward Building, 4346 South Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85297 will be limited to family only.
However, all are invited to watch services via live stream on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:00 am Arizona time. Please use the following link: https://youtu.be/3qOs2q0XHr4
A slide presentation will precede the live stream.
Also, it is with sincere gratitude we thank Dr. Wishwdeep Dhillon of Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network, Dr. Mohamad Sonbol and Dr. Terence T. Sio of the Mayo Clinic and Hospice at Home of Arizona for the skilled care and loving support they have given to Mike and our family during his illness.
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Uncle Mike was one of the nicest man I know. One thing that I cherish about him, is that even if we didn’t see each other often, I always knew he cared. When Ben and I had trails in life, Mike would always tell me that he would add me to the prayer log in the temple. This would always me a lot to me. We will miss having dinner with him when we would come down for spring training every March. Arlene and Family my heart goes out to you. Always know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of uncle Mike. I have always known uncle Mike to be an excellent uncle to me, brother to my dad, husband to aunt Arleen, and father to his children. I have happy and fond childhood memories of time spent with Mike in California when visiting grandpa, and time spent in Utah when he visited, among others. Growing up, Mike was always there for me to bounce insurance questions off of and has always been a nice and caring person. My heart goes out to Mike’s family at this time and even though we may not talk much. Know that I love and care about all of you. – Matt
Arlene and family,
We are thinking about you all and share in your sadness and loss. I love Mike and will miss him. I remember that he would always drop everything to help me personally when I would call and cherish the memory of the time I spent with you both many years ago. Mike came to find me and took me to the book store. He was patient and kind. We will join you all Saturday in honoring and remembering his life and I hope that we can all he together soon to hug you all in person. I send you all my love and peace. Love, Jessica Scott and kids.
To Arlene and family.
We enjoyed every time we visited you and Mike. We looked forward to seeing all of you every time. We loved when Mike was always willing to enter our names on the prayer log in the temple whenever we were going through tough times. We could always count on that response from Mike. Mike was always there to help Lynn with any problems. The most special time I remember was when Mike and I hiked together down to Havasupai Falls and had a good talk about life and family. I always admired Mike’s great athletic ability in football and track. He was Allstate in each of those sports in Utah.
We have fond memories in the last few years when all three brothers were able to get together and visit in California.
Mike always made me feel very welcome as a sister-in-law and treated me like family. He included me in many family events and always made a fuss over me and made me feel special.
Arlene, Rachel, Monica, Ben, Jake, Blake and all your spouses, fiancés and dogs have all been nothing but loving when we have joined them for our trips to Arizona, California and Utah.
Mike we will miss you and be comforted by our great memories of our time with you!
We love and appreciate Arlene and her children. If we can ever help with anything please remember to call us.
Love, Lynn and Lucy
When I first saw his picture I thought how much he looks like my dad, Max Bodine. I remember David, Michael and Lynn from childhood, but haven’t had any contact for many years. He sounds like he was a remarkable man. I wish we had kept in contact. Our condolences to his family.
Mike was an amazing man! I remember growing up by him and being friends with Ben and Monica! He will be missed! Our prayers go out to all his family!! We will be watching Saturday. Hugs!! We love you all!
As a young boy, I was so happy as you got older, that we bonded and started to do things together. As the years passed and brought us
even closer, I saw in Mike a determination to be the best at whatever path he chose in life. He followed that path through school,
college and business. In college he met the love of his life and soon to be wife Arleen. I knew in my heart, he would be a wonderful
husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. When he opened his own business in Mesa, Arizona, he not only made customers,
he turned customers into friends. Throughout his life, he was always honest and tried to do the right thing by all those he came into
contact with. I will forever remember you Mike. I was always so proud of your achievements through life and so thankful to have you
as my brother. Now, after a valiant fight with cancer, Mike was not able to win the battle. He is now in the arms of his heavenly Father.
It is with a heavy heart and undying love that we all say goodbye for now.
I remember times visiting with Aunt Lillian and Uncle Woodrow and the boys when we were growing up as cousins. It’s too bad that we didn’t stay close through the years. I appreciated being virtually present for Mike’s funeral and learning what a great man he has become. I pray that his family will always appreciate the legacy of faith he has left them.
Dear Arleen & family, I just watched the live memorial service for Mike. It was truly beautiful and honored a life so well lived. As you know I have worked for Mike at two different times for a total of almost 14 years. I told him many times and others what a great guy he was to work for. Mike took great care with his clients and really listened to what their needs were. He loved talking to clients of course about insurance needs, but also on personal connection. His clients were very loyal to Mike and most stayed with him from the time they started with his office. That does say a lot right there how he treated and cared for people. I feel very fortunate to have worked for Mike along with several of his children throughout the years and getting to know his great family. I saw first hand how much Mike loved his family and would do anything for them. I know how much they loved Mike too. Arleen has been a rock and always by his side when he needed her. He told me many times when he was going through his long hard fight with his cancer treatments he couldn’t do without her. I know your faith, family and friends will help all of you through the days ahead. I send my love to you Arleen and your family. I will miss Mike dearly. Love to all of you, Cindy Kerr
Mike was my State farm agent for about 25 years. He was an exemplary man who distinguished himself from the rest in so many ways. He went to bat for me after a claim issue wasn’t handled right above his office. He gave back to the community in so many ways and we would talk about my career in law enforcement over the years, because he was concerned about things and always tried to understand different perspectives. He actually had a great heart and smile. I will always remember how he immediately wrote a chech for a non profit organization without hesitation after barely mentioning what it was for. He believed in people and in helping his fellow human. I will miss him. Thanks for being a truely good man and human on this planet. Rest in peace my friend. Elvis
My goodness, how Mike resembles our grandfather Bodine! We have a great family legacy, and I remember with fondness my family’s visits to the Wilson home in Mar Vista, and theirs to my home in Long Beach. Mike was always the serious, stand-up kind of kid and obviously that kind of man as well. Love to all his family.
Wishing the Wilson family all the best during this difficult time. Always had a deep respect for Mike. He was always kind and very knowledgeable. He always gave great lessons at church and in life. Always friendly and you felt welcomed in their home. He later became my insurance agent and really gave great advice in the beginning stages of planning our family years ago. He loved giving important key advice and we definitely listened. He was a good father, husband and very hard worker that loved what he did. We are sad to learn of his passing but I’m sure his legacy continues on with his amazing family and heritage. Sending luv to the Wilson family and we all know that families are indeed forever.
I just heard today of Mike’s passing and I was truly saddened by the news. Please know that I will be praying for the family during this time of loss.
It was my privilege to work in Mike’s office a few years ago and he holds a special place in my heart.
May God be especially close to you, Arlene, and the family, in the days ahead.
Sincerely, Audrey and Jim Harkenrider