Michael Wilson, aka, GI Joe, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on May 1, 1949. Michael departed this earthly life on Monday, September 9, 2024, at his residence at the age of 74.
He was educated in the Chattanooga Public Schools and graduated from Riverside High School in 1968. Following high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps and fought in the Vietnam War as a sharp shooter. “Semper FI”
Michael worked as a cement mason at the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant owned by TVA. His passion was talking on the CB radio, where he was known as GI Joe around the world. (My father enjoyed it when the neighbors phoned the home unhappy because the frequency of the CB radio interfered with their house phones and televisions). He also enjoyed drawing, spending time with family and friends, traveling, and biking.
Among those who preceded Michael in death include his grandparents who reared him, Roger S. and Bertha Ruffin; parents, Nathaniel Wilson and Mary Ethel Mallory; his sister, Deloris Mallory; cousin, Grady Wilson; grandparents, Karon “KT” and Beulah Mae Tyson.
He is survived by his wife, Christine Wilson; daughters, Denise Wilson, Pagedi Wilson-Brady (Kenneth), and Michelle Roberts, all of Chattanooga; two grandchildren, Michael Wilson and Jaquesha Johnson, both of Chattanooga; friend for life (509) Bennie Rae (Zsa Zsa) Tarvin of Chattanooga; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.