Michael Lee Willson

Michael Lee Willson passed peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 95 Hasell Street, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, 60 Huguenin Ave., Charleston. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Tuesday evening, at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, with a Rosary at 6:30 PM.

Mike was born December 7, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia to Otho Lee Willson and Ruth Merritt Willson. He graduated from Henry W. Grady High School in Atlanta, subsequently enrolling at The Citadel in Charleston, SC. He graduated August 25, 1961, with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. While at The Citadel he met Rose Mary Chapman, his wife of 63 years. They settled in Atlanta where they had two children, Eric Lee and Leslie Ann. He launched his engineering career with the state of Georgia, later transitioning to the private sector. Mike was a registered civil engineer in the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Florida. After 25 years in Atlanta, Mike and Rose Mary moved back to Charleston, where they made their home. He continued his engineering work with the Town of Mt. Pleasant, simultaneously starting a career as a builder of fine homes in Mt. Pleasant.

A convert to Roman Catholicism, Mike was active in the diocese of Atlanta where he was instrumental in the startup of a new parish, All Saints, in Dunwoody, Georgia. After returning to Charleston he continued his service at St. Mary of the Annunciation. Proud of his southern heritage, Mike was an active member of The Sons of Confederate Veterans, Fort Sumter Camp and The Palmetto Guard. In 2017 he entered Theta Commission of the Kappa Alpha Order where he epitomized their chivalric ideals of honor, service, faith and leadership.

Mike is survived by his wife, Rose Mary (Chapman); son, Eric Willson (Linda); daughter, Leslie Mizell (Joey); granddaughters, Julia Browder (Woods), Rachel Willson (fiancé Austin Barone), Alexis Pleasant (Michael) and great-grandsons, Miles and Finn Pleasant.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Mary of the Annunciation Artwork Restoration Project, 89 Hasell Street, Charleton, SC 29401, The St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Mary of the Announciation or to a local charity of your choice.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.

If you plan to send flowers, we highly suggest using a local florist instead of ordering from an online vendor. Charleston has many. Kindly ask your florist to deliver all flowers to the funeral home between 10AM and 2PM, Tuesday, July 15th.