Stephen grew up in Broken Arrow, OK and graduated from High School in 1970. Directly after graduation he joined the army and was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana. He was awarded quite an honor by achieving the academic award of being 1 out of 10 in the whole nation to be chosen for air traffic control school. After this training he was immediately sent to Vietnam.
While in Vietnam he would meet a man who would become his lifelong best friend, Ron Ricley who prayed for him and introduced him to the Lord Jesus. Ron had bible studies there and the God opened the Word of the lord to Steve. He saw and learned things that changed his life forever! While Ron was an air traffic controller Steve was a radar controller. As an emergency came up at home for Ron and he received permission to go home to the states. So Steve learned the air traffic control system so Ron would be able to leave. After Vietnam Steve hunted Ron up and found him in Nebraska – so he and a friend, John Ezell, packed up and headed there. Spending time in prayer and in His Word, Steve flourished in his relationship with the Lord.
While in McCook Nebraska Steve became a Law Enforcement Officer and there met the lovely lady who would become his wife and mother to their 3 sons. Soon after words they moved to Harrison, Arkansas, where he began working at Claridge Extrusion Plant where he worked for 30 years and retired in September 2009.
After retiring, Steve moved to Lawrence Kansas where he met and married his loving wife Linda on September 12, 2009. Moving to Lawrence meant he was also closer to his best friend Ron Ricley who was pastoring a church in Lecompton Kansas. They traveled together and ministered in Honduras and Guatemala.
Steve loved studying his bible and gathering together with friends and family.
Steven went home to be with the lord August 9, 2025, at The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. After a year of complications from liver cancer and kidney failure.
Steven was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Gwendolyn Wilson, age 63, who died April 5, 1996. Steven’s father Richard Benjamin Wilson, passed away August 26, 2023, at age 95.
Also the lovely mother of his children Vivian DeEtte Wilson, passed away December 1, 2021.
He leaves his three siblings, Pamela Hilliard of Nashville, Tennessee,(Dennis), Barry Wilson, of Colorado, Kelly Wilson, of California
He leaves his three sons Joshua Lee Wilson, of Harrison, Arkansas, Johnathan Scott Wilson, also of Harrison, Arkansas, Jason Richard Wilson, of the 68th Theater Medical Command of Sambach, Germany.
Linda’s two sons David Michael Gleasure, of Newnan, Georgia, and Danial Micah Gleasure, also of Newnan, Georgia.
Two adopted sons Ricky Kennedy, Pomona, Kansas, and Ranny Boulton, California.
He also leaves 20 Grandchildren which some are adopted as well:
Joshua Lee Wilson is the oldest, of Harrison, Arkansas and has 6 children: Devan Wilson, Dekota Smith, Donovan Matthews, Melina Racley, Ava Racley, Ella Racley.
Jonathan Scott Wilson, of Harrison, has 3 girls: Rylie Avary Wilson, Hayden Leah Wilson, and Cameron Grace Wilson.
Jason Richard Wilson has 4 children: Kayleigh Wilson, Kyleigh Wilson, Krystina Anderson, and Dylan Carroll.
David Gleasure has 3 children: Sammy Gleasure, Maxxy Gleasure, and Gabby Gleasure.
Daniel Gleasure has 2 children: Jacob Gleasure, and Addie Gleasure.
Ranny Boulton has one son: Rane Boulton Jr.
Ricky Kennedy has 2 Children: Alexis Kennedy, and Hunter Kennedy.
Steve also leaves 2 nieces in Oklahoma, Nicole and Michele, one great niece Makayla, and one great great niece Lizzie who is 3 and one great nephew Darnell.
Services for Steve will be a visitation Thursday August 21 from 6-8:30. Funeral on Friday, August 22 at 2p.m. They will both be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home. Graveside service will be following the funeral service at Maple Hill Cemetery, Lecompton. Following graveside service, will be a dinner at The Community Building in Lecompton.
We are asking guests to bring a side dish or dessert for those coming to the dinner. But for those who don’t have time to make a side dish – come anyway! We would love to see all of you.
Livestream at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1NTU0MDkzNzM3NjU2NyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
My dear friend Linda-
Words cannot express both my sorrow and joy to know that Steve has gone to be with the Lord. How I will miss him! But how blessed I am to know that He is home.
We all here in Georgia have prayed earnestly for him over the past couple of years as he went through his health struggles, and we prayed for him as he said his farewells to this life and moved on to Glory. I am so thankful!
We are praying for you, my dear friend, for your comfort and for the Lord’s will to be fully brought to pass in your life as you go through this transition. My deepest condolences on the loss of your loving husband and friend. May the God of all comfort bless you with that comfort only He can give in these days ahead.
I love you, sis, and may you be blessed.
-John Peter
It is a privilege and blessing to know you and Steve. Over the years you both have been a special part of our life and journey with
the Family of God.
We will remember his life stories and witty personality
We are committing you and your family to the Lord for guidance, strength and comfort.
Fred, Sharon
Ruby, Damian and Maddy
Linda,
We send you our love and condolences. Steve will be dearly missed. Glory to God that he made it home! You and the family will be in our thoughts as it is never easy to see someone we love leave us on this side of eternity. With Christ love we pray he would touch you all as only he can.
Love Darius, Shi, AJ. Adrianna, & Azora