Steven James Wilson was born March 25, 1966, to Kenneth Lee Wilson and Helen Jean McNicol Wilson in Tooele, Utah.  He died April 7, 2024, at the age of 58 due to complications from cancer. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family and his dog Gus.

One of Steve’s fondest memories as a young boy was about him and his dog Muffin. They were self-employed at a local golf course. Muffin would dive for golf balls and Steve would clean and resell them for 25 cents a piece. They would sit on the green and wait for people to have a bad shot so they could pay him and Muffin to retrieve their golf balls. The caretakers of the golf course would try to run them off, even to the extent of having the police put Steve and Muffin in the back of a police car. But to their surprise, he and Muffin were back to work the next morning.

Steve moved to West Valley City in the sixth grade where he met the love of his life Merrideth Tinnin.  They tormented each other up until their high school years when he announced to his mother and Merrideth that he was going to marry her– like it or not!  (She must have liked it.)  After high school, they were married and Steve began his military career.  He served in the U.S. Navy from February 1985-February 1990. He then served in the Army Reserves from March 1990-March 2005. During this time he also worked for 23 years at Pepsi Cola. He advanced quickly and made many lifetime friends. After leaving Pepsi, he started his own business, Refresh Eco Wash. He had so much integrity and was so very proud.

Steve always had a smile and made others laugh. He loved his family fiercely. His greatest accomplishment was his children and grandchildren. He would always remind them that he loved them and he was so proud of them. He also felt that in return. He has an amazing legacy.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years Merrideth Wilson; children Cassie (Shawn) Hansen and Brandon (Lauren) Wilson;   grandchildren Natalie Ross, KJ Demke, Keegan Ross, Charli Wilson, Tavian Wilson, Lydia Hansen, Katie Hansen and Cali Wilson; mother Helen Wilson; brothers Jack Wilson and Paul Wilson.; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his father Kenneth Wilson.

The family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses and all those who cared for Steve the last 53 days (he called it Days in Captivity) at the SLC VA Hospital. Steve appreciated all that they did for his care and loved each and every one of them. Thank you for getting Steve home.

A graveside service will be held at noon on Saturday, April 13, at the Washington City Cemetery.

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