Michael Brock Williston

life story

Loving husband and father

About Mike

Michael Brock Williston (Mike) went home to Jesus on Monday, December 18, 2023. He was 75, living in Stillwater, MN at death. He passed away quickly and quietly, after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy, a debilitating neurological disease. Mike was born in Albion, Michigan on March 23, 1948. His parents, Richard Charles Williston and Dorthy Irene (Stiles) Williston welcomed him into their family. Mike had one older brother and two older sisters. His birth made their family complete. Mike loved to tell stories from his childhood. He often talked about going to a one-room school. One of his favorite stories was about being dared to swing high enough to go over the bar. I’m sure many of us have been dared to do that, but Mike actually succeeded and walked away with bumps and bruises but no broken bones! Mike graduated from Marshall High School in 1966.

He worked a variety of jobs, including learning to quick-print. He often shared how he accepted Jesus as his savior during his mid-thirties. It changed his life in amazing and powerful ways. He met his wife at M.S.U. Bible Study. They were married on March 15, 1986. They had five children together. Mike owned Express Printing, with his partner, Edward Cloutier at the time of the marriage. They sold the business a few years later. Mike continued to work for the new owner for several years. After that, he worked for the Flashes Shopping Guide, a small paper printed for the Eaton Rapids, Michigan community. He left them for several different production jobs. Due to health challenges, he settled on a job at a small woodworking shop, Woodcraft of Michigan, owned by Greg Shadko and located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan. He became close friends with Greg and enjoyed working there until moving to Jackson, MI after his youngest, Zachary, graduated from High School. Mike and Anne raised their children in Eaton Rapids. They all graduated from Eaton Rapids High School.

Mike was never happier than when he spent time with his kids, with the possible exception of his grandchildren! Mike was an amazing gardener and made many beautiful gardens at his various homes, including a garden for his mom when she lived with the family and a beautiful rock garden for his wife. He loved classic cars and enjoyed getting his 1996 Monte Carlo fixed up. When he was no longer able to garden, his daughters got him started on a gnome collection, which brought many smiles into his life. Mike and Anne were able to travel to some amazing places. In 2017, they took a Caribean Cruise and then spent the summer driving from Michigan to Washington State and back. They visited their son, Daniel, in Washington, and their daughter, Kelsey, in Iowa on the way back. Kelsey’s friends were astonished by Mike’s enjoyment of the tall slides during a day at the local waterpark. In 2021, Mike and Anne went to St. Lucia for a week, to celebrate their anniversary. A local guide accommodated Mike’s disability by carrying him to a small boat to take an amazing tour around the island. As part of the tour, Mike and Anne got off the boat to take a trip to the local volcanic mudbaths. In March of 2023, he traveled with Anne and her sister, Mary, and her husband Phil, along the historic Route 66. Mike and Anne ended the vacation with a railcar ride to the Grand Canyon. He talked about the trip often and many cherished memories were made.

Mike was an active Christian all of his adult life, He and his wife volunteered together in a variety of roles at their local church, including Sunday School teachers and Youth Group leaders. His undeniable storytelling ability, humor, and enjoyment of people were immediately evident wherever he was. He was devastated when his ability to talk was impacted, making it hard for him to interact with others.

Mike is survived by his spouse, Anne, married 37 years, and four of his children: Katherine, Daniel (Laura), Kelsey, and Zachary. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Julia and Finn, his siblings, Sue Bennett (Jack) and Sally Hawes (Dan); his Aunt Betty, his sister-in-law, JoAnn, his nieces, Brandie, Heather, and Heidi (Tim), his nephews John (Heather), Jacob (Aimee), Eric (Kristy), Blake, and Jared plus their many children. Mike is predeceased by his beloved first son, Robert Charles (January 25, 2021), his niece, Jenny, his brother John, and his parents. There is a private viewing for his wife and their children on Thursday, December 21, 2023. A graveside service will be held in Eaton Rapids at a later date. Donations can be made to support his great-niece, Makenna Martin, who is a missionary overseas. You can donate securely through her website: https://www.equipnet.org/missionaries/mmartin

Thank you to everyone who is praying for our family during this difficult time. Mike was all about family and appreciated prayer support from others, having experienced the power of prayer to change his life and the lives of others.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services