Stephen Michael Wilcox

Stephen Wilcox, 72, left this world surrounded by his loved ones on April 25, 2023 after a brief illness.  He joined  friends and family in heaven to begin new adventures.  He left too soon and will be greatly missed.    Steve was the first born baby on January 1, 1951 in Butte, Montana to Harold and Betty Wilcox.  He was proud to call Butte his birthplace and childhood home.  Steve had the tough Butte mentality and often spoke of his adventures there and in Walkerville where his cousins lived.  He loved sharing childhood stories of fights with the neighborhood red-headed bully, playing on the railroad tracks and on the ore dumps and chasing pigeons.  

During grade school his family moved to Helena west side where he attended Hawthorne school for a short time until moving to the 6th Ward where he truly felt at home.  While attending Helena Middle School, Steve enjoyed telling the story of coming upon a bully attempting to “auction off” one of his classmates; Steve knocked him out.  He was always standing up and looking out for the “little guy” and setting things straight.  Steve spoke fondly of his time spent in the Seeley Swan area where he and his good friend, Don Merritt Jr., worked at a hunting camp in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.  Don Merritt, Sr. ran the camp and shared his love of hunting and the outdoors.  He was an impressionable part of Steves younger life.

Steve graduated from Helena High School in 1970 with lots of support from certain special teachers that recognized his good heart and encouraged his strengths.  Steve had a great love for cars and during his high school years he bought, restored and sold over 50 cars.  This love followed him throughout his lifetime.  Following graduation, he enlisted in the National Guard and went to Fort Dix, New Jersey for basic training where he excelled.  

Steve worked in the freight industry, first driving truck at Garrett Freight before he became the account and terminal manager at Consolidated Freight for over 10 years.

In 1982 he met the love of his life, Michelle, and together they went on many camping and river floating adventures, along with their son, Michael.  Together they found their dream place in Montana City, where they developed the land and built their first home together.  Steve was a great mentor to many of the neighborhood kids and friends; always positive and encouraging them to work hard and pursue their passions in life.

In 1991, Steve embarked on a new entrepreneurial venture, creating his own Food Distribution Company, in which he thrived for 20 years before Michael took over and Steve retired. In retirement, Steve did very little sitting still.  He did more of what he loved including hunting, floating, spending time in the mountains, tinkering with old cars and his properties, including their cabin on the Missouri River where he and Michelle spent their summers.  

Steve had many longtime friends with whom he shared many adventures throughout his life; snowmobiling, hunting, fishing and floating.  He was always positive and upbeat.  No one was a stranger around Steve and he greeted everyone with a warm heart, huge smile and sparkly blue eyes.

Steve is survived by his wife of 38 years, Michelle, his son Michael (Kasie), grandchildren, Harper and Axl, his brothers Willie (Sheila), David (Dale), along with many nephews and nieces.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Betty Wilcox and his brother, Timothy.  

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Intermountain Children's Home, 500 South Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 4:00 PM at 68 Mergenthaler Road, Clancy, MT  59634.  Food and beverages will be served following a short service.  

Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Stephen Michael Wilcox, please visit our Tree Store.