Obituary of Stephanie Mical Wilson

Stephanie Mical Wilson passed away on Sunday March 19, 2023, after a brief but intense struggle against sepsis brought on by GI bleeds. Her death came as a shock to all that loved her as it felt very sudden. However, after many years of fighting various illnesses, she decided it was time to return home to God.

                Stephanie was born on March 25, 1954, to Renon Smith and Edwin Mical in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Raised within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she also attended Catholic school at a young age, which contributed to her love of learning about various rituals and religious practices.  Stephanie had many interests and talents throughout her life, including ballet.  She met many interesting people and would often tell stories of working at a more male-oriented job at the airport for a time, or when she met Colonel Sanders while working as a waitress.

                While teaching dance at the Dallas YWCA, she met William F. Wilson. They would marry on September 10, 1977, in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a backyard ceremony and a sang ‘Danny’s Song’ at the event.  Later in 1977, Stephanie and Bill moved to Dallas, Texas, and not long after welcomed their first child, despite being told they couldn’t conceive.  Merlin arrived on May 24, 1981, and Ian followed four years later, July 24, 1985. Stephanie continued to work both inside and outside the home, especially leaning into homemaking.  She took courses at Eastfield Community College and became an excellent photographer.  Stephanie kept this talent strong through many family vacations, including trips to her beloved Colorado.  The family moved to California in 2004, allowing Stephanie to see still more of this beautiful country.

                Storytelling and words held a special magic for Stephanie, and she was a steady reader for many, many years.  Having written stories as a girl, she kept that creative flame alive, exploring different ways to interact with narrative.  Many times, Stephanie would tell stories with her photographs, showing a creative eye for scenes and silent character.  She loved music, singing while she cooked dinner, cleaned, or just because the mood struck her.  The Beatles, some showtunes, ‘Brandy’ by Looking Glass, and countless others were frequently her song choices.

                Often stoic and private, she blossomed when she was comfortable around people. She swore rarely and would always apologize for doing so. She loved the feeling of being in a sacred place.  Angels, Native American culture, fairies, and of course Arthurian legend were woven into so much of her life. It was hard not to feel swept up in her pursuit of the sacred quiet, the unspoken divine in the everyday.  Always knowing more than she spoke out loud, Stephanie sometimes had a sphinx-like quality to her.  When she smiled though, it was a truly warm and delightful sight.

                Sadly, glaucoma took Stephanie’s sight in recent years, frustrating her endlessly.  While she tried her best to keep living life on her terms, a little of her playful spirit left when she couldn’t see those she loved very clearly and became unable to take photographs.  Nonetheless, she would still sing, and treasured any time she could connect with a relative or old friend. Her warm heart was always near the surface for those she trusted and loved.

                Stephanie Mical Wilson was preceded in death by her parents Renon Smith Mical and Edwin Mical of Salt Lake City, Utah, and her mother-in-law Mildred S. Wilson and father-in-law Robert O. Wilson Sr. of Dallas, Texas, her brother-in-law, John S. Wilson of Houston, sister-in-law Lynn Wilson of Dallas, and daughter-in-law Wendy Lou Wilson of Salinas, CA. Stephanie is survived by her husband, William F. Wilson of Salinas; her sons, Merlin, also of Salinas, and Ian, of Arlington, Texas; her brothers-in-law Robert O. Wilson Jr. of Flower Mound, Texas; Richard D. Wilson of Dallas, Texas; and Brian A. Wilson and sister-in-law Rose M. Wuyts-Wilson of Monrovia, California, and sister-in-law, Sauletta Wilson of Houston, TX.  She also leaves behind many close friends and family.

If you were fortunate enough to know Stephanie, you know she did her best to treat you well and make you feel welcome.  Once you were brought into her heart, she was steadfast and true, not only as a friend, but as a constant and loving wife and the best mother two sons could have.  She will be deeply missed by all that loved and knew her.

                There will be no service for Stephanie at this time. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to the American Indian College fund (https://collegefund.org/) or to the National Parks Foundation (https://www.nationalparks.org/) to preserve the beautiful places she so loved.