If you ever had a problem that needed solving, Mike was the man to call. William Michael "Mike" Mitchell, 79, of Talladega, Alabama, passed away at home on January 10, 2026, after complications following surgery, surrounded by his wife, Patricia W. Mitchell, and their children.
Mike was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1946 to William B. "Boots" Mitchell and Loretta "Pete" K. Mitchell. Along with his Aunt Maggie Kennerly, they raised him to value honesty and hard work. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1963 and went on to study business at the University of Alabama.
Shortly before college graduation, Mike was set up on a blind date that would forever change his life. He married his wife of 57 years, Patricia "Patsy" W. Mitchell, in July 1968. At the time, Mike was completing Air Force Officer Training School near Denver, Colorado, before being stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, from 1968 to 1972.
The newlyweds embraced their four-year deployment abroad, learning to ski in the mountains of Austria and spending weekends and holidays traveling throughout Europe. This chapter of their lives sparked a lifelong love of travel and family adventure. Throughout his life, Mike enjoyed sharing stories of his time as a Captain and avionics officer in the Air Force and always welcomed the chance to meet and talk with fellow veterans.
After returning home in 1972, Mike joined his father, brother, and uncles in the family's growing home construction business, Mitchell Brothers Contractors. He worked there until 1995, when he founded Mike Mitchell Homes. Over a 45-plus-year career, Mike built homes throughout central Alabama and was honored to be named a Master Builder by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, recognizing his commitment to quality, leadership, and professionalism. A man of his word, he never turned down a call or request for help—even from homeowners whose warranty had long expired.
Mike and Patsy raised their three children—Amanda, Dane, and Callie—in Adamsville, Alabama. Despite long work weeks, Mike was a devoted and attentive father who never missed a family dinner or an event in his children's lives. He was always willing to hop in the car—often after dark—for camping trips, ski trips out West, and countless travel adventures. After their children grew up and moved away, Mike and Patsy continued exploring together.
Following Mike's official retirement in 2015, they sold their Birmingham home and spent the next decade traveling across the United States and internationally, alternating between a travel trailer and vacation home rentals. Along the way, they made lasting friendships—from the mountains of Ecuador to the hills of Vermont—and stayed connected with many of those friends over the years.
In 2023, they chose to slow down and purchased a condo on Logan Martin Lake in Talladega, Alabama. They joined Hepzibah Baptist Church, where they quickly made some of their newest and dearest friends.
Mike will always be remembered for his sharp, inquisitive mind; keen eye for detail; tenacious work ethic; and deep devotion to his family. He was also known for his dry wit and ability to lovingly tease those closest to him. Whether you knew him for fifty years or five minutes, Mike was always eager to help solve a problem—especially if it involved a home or property repair. He will be deeply missed for his gentle spirit, warm smile, and uncanny ability to find an alternative route through any situation.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, William "Boots" and Loretta "Pete" Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife Patsy; his daughter Amanda Kuhnert (Bill Kuhnert) of South Woodstock, Vermont; his son Dane Mitchell (Cole Mitchell) of Boulder, Colorado; and his daughter Callie Hagedorn (Ben Hagedorn) of Anchorage, Alaska; as well as five grandchildren: Parker and Leah Kuhnert, and Harper, Killian, and Holden Hagedorn. He is also survived by his brother, Benjamin E. Mitchell; his sister, Rita Higgins; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Over the past year, Mike was proud to work alongside fellow volunteers to install a new floor in his church's gymnasium. To honor his commitment to this project, memorials may be sent to Hepzibah Baptist Church to help pay off the gym floor. Contributions may be mailed to Hepzibah Baptist Church, 5329 Renfroe Rd., Talladega, AL 35160.
Mike was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1946 to William B. "Boots" Mitchell and Loretta "Pete" K. Mitchell. Along with his Aunt Maggie Kennerly, they raised him to value honesty and hard work. He graduated from Phillips High School in 1963 and went on to study business at the University of Alabama.
Shortly before college graduation, Mike was set up on a blind date that would forever change his life. He married his wife of 57 years, Patricia "Patsy" W. Mitchell, in July 1968. At the time, Mike was completing Air Force Officer Training School near Denver, Colorado, before being stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, from 1968 to 1972.
The newlyweds embraced their four-year deployment abroad, learning to ski in the mountains of Austria and spending weekends and holidays traveling throughout Europe. This chapter of their lives sparked a lifelong love of travel and family adventure. Throughout his life, Mike enjoyed sharing stories of his time as a Captain and avionics officer in the Air Force and always welcomed the chance to meet and talk with fellow veterans.
After returning home in 1972, Mike joined his father, brother, and uncles in the family's growing home construction business, Mitchell Brothers Contractors. He worked there until 1995, when he founded Mike Mitchell Homes. Over a 45-plus-year career, Mike built homes throughout central Alabama and was honored to be named a Master Builder by the Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, recognizing his commitment to quality, leadership, and professionalism. A man of his word, he never turned down a call or request for help—even from homeowners whose warranty had long expired.
Mike and Patsy raised their three children—Amanda, Dane, and Callie—in Adamsville, Alabama. Despite long work weeks, Mike was a devoted and attentive father who never missed a family dinner or an event in his children's lives. He was always willing to hop in the car—often after dark—for camping trips, ski trips out West, and countless travel adventures. After their children grew up and moved away, Mike and Patsy continued exploring together.
Following Mike's official retirement in 2015, they sold their Birmingham home and spent the next decade traveling across the United States and internationally, alternating between a travel trailer and vacation home rentals. Along the way, they made lasting friendships—from the mountains of Ecuador to the hills of Vermont—and stayed connected with many of those friends over the years.
In 2023, they chose to slow down and purchased a condo on Logan Martin Lake in Talladega, Alabama. They joined Hepzibah Baptist Church, where they quickly made some of their newest and dearest friends.
Mike will always be remembered for his sharp, inquisitive mind; keen eye for detail; tenacious work ethic; and deep devotion to his family. He was also known for his dry wit and ability to lovingly tease those closest to him. Whether you knew him for fifty years or five minutes, Mike was always eager to help solve a problem—especially if it involved a home or property repair. He will be deeply missed for his gentle spirit, warm smile, and uncanny ability to find an alternative route through any situation.
Mike was predeceased by his parents, William "Boots" and Loretta "Pete" Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife Patsy; his daughter Amanda Kuhnert (Bill Kuhnert) of South Woodstock, Vermont; his son Dane Mitchell (Cole Mitchell) of Boulder, Colorado; and his daughter Callie Hagedorn (Ben Hagedorn) of Anchorage, Alaska; as well as five grandchildren: Parker and Leah Kuhnert, and Harper, Killian, and Holden Hagedorn. He is also survived by his brother, Benjamin E. Mitchell; his sister, Rita Higgins; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Over the past year, Mike was proud to work alongside fellow volunteers to install a new floor in his church's gymnasium. To honor his commitment to this project, memorials may be sent to Hepzibah Baptist Church to help pay off the gym floor. Contributions may be mailed to Hepzibah Baptist Church, 5329 Renfroe Rd., Talladega, AL 35160.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Michael Mitchell, please visit our flower store.
William Michael Mitchell's Guestbook
Visits: 39
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors