Michael W. Wilson, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at Tranquility Hospice in Marietta, GA.

Born in Charlotte to Worth Wilson and Hilda Land Wilson, he attended Garinger High School before becoming the first in his family to pursue a college degree, which he completed at Wofford College. After a transformative experience in higher education, he remained committed to Wofford throughout his life as a member of the alumni association. Following college, he served in the US Army, stationed at Fort Bragg. For most of his career, Michael worked in banking, first in Columbia, SC, and later in Nashville, TN. Increasingly disenchanted with the banking industry, he felt called to pursue ministry as a vocation and attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, earning a Master of Divinity degree. Upon graduation, he joined the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. A gifted public speaker, he emphasized social justice in his preaching and, after a brief stint with congregations in the greater Atlanta area, worked primarily with rural churches. He retired in 2016. In good health, he loved cycling, tennis, camping, and making his children laugh, and, in his later years, enjoyed visiting state parks and spending time outdoors with his dogs.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Worth Wilson, mother, Hilda Land Wilson, and brother Larry D. Wilson.

He is survived by his spouse, Rev. Rebecca Holmes; son Dr. Brett Wilson (Cristina) of Vienna, Austria; daughter Emily Geckle (Robert) of Vienna, VA; grandchildren Alan Geckle, Annabelle Geckle, and Max Wilson; and sister Rebecca Jones (Jack) of Sherrills Ford, NC along with several loving nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a future date in the Charlotte area.