James Michael “Mike” Wilson was born on May 18, 1961, in Dayton, Texas, and passed away on February 24, 2026, in Cleveland, Texas, after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was surrounded by his family and more love than he would probably ever admit he needed.
Mike shared 40 years of marriage with his devoted wife, Vickie (Havard) Wilson. Their life together was built on loyalty, dedication, and the kind of steady love that carried their family through every season. He was a proud father to Preston Wilson and Terrin Winders, and a loving grandfather to Mathis Perez, Oakes Winders, Gabby Winders, Luke Winders, and Jake Winders.
Mike was a hardworking and dedicated provider who spent his career as Pressroom Coordinator for the Houston Chronicle before retiring. Making sure his family was taken care of was always his priority, and he showed his love through his consistency, his strength, and his unwavering commitment.
He was a strong, stubborn, and silly man. He was the biggest Dallas Cowboys fan, and his favorite saying was, “How ’bout them Cowboys?” He was a fun-loving guy who was always ready for his next concert or road trip. He did things his own way, loved deeply in his own steady and constant way, and those who knew him wouldn’t have had him any other way.
In the end, what mattered most to Mike was the same thing that mattered all his life — his family. Being surrounded by them in his final days was his greatest comfort and his greatest legacy. We are incredibly grateful for the love, softness, and time we were able to share with him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Vickie Wilson; his son, Preston Wilson; his daughter, Terrin Winders and her husband, Josh Winders; his grandchildren, Mathis Perez, Oakes Winders, Gabby Winders, Luke Winders, and Jake Winders; his brother, Jeff Wilson; and many extended family members.
He is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Wilson; his mother, Betty Mayo; his brother, Greg Wilson; and his grandparents, Lennie Wilson and Raymond Wilson.
Mike will be missed, and his legacy lives on in the family he loved, the life he worked so hard to build, and the memories that will continue to be told with laughter, loyalty, and love. He will remain in our hearts forever.
A visitation in honor of Mike’s memory will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Neal Funeral Home, 200 S. Washington Ave., Cleveland, Texas, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM. Interment will immediately follow at Squire Cemetery in Cleveland, Texas. Mike’s family invites all who knew him to celebrate his life and the impact he had on our hearts and lives.
All arrangements to be handled under the trusted care of Neal Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Michael “Mike” Wilson, please visit our flower store.