Max William Wilson

Max William Wilson passed away on July 30, 2024, after a long and valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, Uncle, cousin, and friend. He was kind, gracious, compassionate, and wise. He had an infectious smile that lit up the room, and when he smiled at you, you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling back. He had a deep, resounding laugh that filled the room with joy. He was one of a kind and truly the anchor of his family. Whenever he was around, you knew that things were going to be ok.

Max was born on September 27, 1942, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Guy and Elaine Wilson. Even though he lived in Arizona for most of his life, Utah always held a soft spot in his heart and was a place he truly felt at home. He was the third of four children. His oldest sister Claudia, his older brother Gary, and youngest sister RaNae were not only his siblings, but his friends. They remained close throughout his life.

Max married his best friend and soulmate Judith in 1961, while serving in the U.S. Air Force at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. This began a 63-year adventure that took them from Omaha to Salt Lake and eventually to Arizona. Along the way, Max and Judy had five children: Laura, Tracy, Val, Shannon, and Aimee. They tragically lost their only son Val in 1967.

Max loved his children. He was proud of who they were and what they had become. A father to four girls, he taught them both grit and grace and that anything could be accomplished with hard work and practice. Today these four strong women, and the generations they’ve raised, mourn his loss but live his legacy. Our hearts are broken without him.

Max never knew a stranger. There wasn’t anyone that he couldn’t have a conversation with. He had a wide circle of friends. Whether it was his best friend from childhood, or one of the amazing men he met after moving to Litchfield Park, the bond he shared with them was unbreakable. He understood the value and importance of friendship. His annual Thanksgiving toast was, “To our friends who are like family, and our family who are our very best friends.” Most of these friends have passed, and we draw strength in imagining him now in heaven with them. We hope they are catching up on the golf course, sitting by a campfire, playing cards, or out on the back patio reminiscing.

Max and Judy have eight grandchildren. They all grew up in Arizona and have been fortunate to have known him their entire lives. Whether it was teaching them to fish, ride a horse, or golf, he was always a mentor to them. He enjoyed watching them grow and being an active part of their lives.

Max had several careers throughout his life. Retired was just not something he ever wanted to be. He was a real estate developer, a rancher, and a public servant. Max had a profound love for Arizona and a deep commitment to the West Valley. He understood the importance of giving back and wanted to help make the world a better place. He wasn’t the type of man that stood on the sidelines. When he saw a problem, he wanted to create a solution.

People who knew him have said their lives are better for knowing him.

He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughters Laura (Mark), Tracy, Shannon, and Aimee (Tina), eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, his siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his son and his parents.

Max William Wilson passed away on July 30, 2024, after a long and valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, Uncle, cousin, and friend. He was kind, gracious, compassionate, and wise. He had an infectious smile that lit up the room, and when he smiled at you, you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling back. He had a deep, resounding laugh that filled the room with joy. He was one of a kind and truly the anchor of his family. Whenever he was around, you knew that things were going to be ok.

Max was born on September 27, 1942, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Guy and Elaine Wilson. Even though he lived in Arizona for most of his life, Utah always held a soft spot in his heart and was a place he truly felt at home. He was the third of four children. His oldest sister Claudia, his older brother Gary, and youngest sister RaNae were not only his siblings, but his friends. They remained close throughout his life.

Max married his best friend and soulmate Judith in 1961, while serving in the U.S. Air Force at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. This began a 63-year adventure that took them from Omaha to Salt Lake and eventually to Arizona. Along the way, Max and Judy had five children: Laura, Tracy, Val, Shannon, and Aimee. They tragically lost their only son Val in 1967.

Max loved his children. He was proud of who they were and what they had become. A father to four girls, he taught them both grit and grace and that anything could be accomplished with hard work and practice. Today these four strong women, and the generations they’ve raised, mourn his loss but live his legacy. Our hearts are broken without him.

Max never knew a stranger. There wasn’t anyone that he couldn’t have a conversation with. He had a wide circle of friends. Whether it was his best friend from childhood, or one of the amazing men he met after moving to Litchfield Park, the bond he shared with them was unbreakable. He understood the value and importance of friendship. His annual Thanksgiving toast was, “To our friends who are like family, and our family who are our very best friends.” Most of these friends have passed, and we draw strength in imagining him now in heaven with them. We hope they are catching up on the golf course, sitting by a campfire, playing cards, or out on the back patio reminiscing.

Max and Judy have eight grandchildren. They all grew up in Arizona and have been fortunate to have known him their entire lives. Whether it was teaching them to fish, ride a horse, or golf, he was always a mentor to them. He enjoyed watching them grow and being an active part of their lives.

Max had several careers throughout his life. Retired was just not something he ever wanted to be. He was a real estate developer, a rancher, and a public servant. Max had a profound love for Arizona and a deep commitment to the West Valley. He understood the importance of giving back and wanted to help make the world a better place. He wasn’t the type of man that stood on the sidelines. When he saw a problem, he wanted to create a solution.

People who knew him have said their lives are better for knowing him.

He is survived by his wife Judy, his daughters Laura (Mark), Tracy, Shannon, and Aimee (Tina), eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, his siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his son and his parents.

Please join us in celebrating his life on September 27, 2024, at the Tuscany Fall’s Ballroom at Pebble Creek in Goodyear, Arizona.