Lasting Memories

Excell "Mike" Wilks
Sept. 22, 1969-April 10, 2020
Palo Alto, CA
Submitted by IRINE ONCIANO

Excell Wilks Jr passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2020 at Stanford Hospital due to kidney disease and heart complications. The beloved oldest son of Irine Douglas-Onciano and the late Excell Wilks Sr, he was a 35-year resident of Palo Alto & Menlo Park, born in Memphis, TN, on September 22, 1969.

A lifelong, avid sports fan and self-described “basketball genius”, he loved to play hoops, and bike ride in and around San Francisco (including over Golden Gate Bridge and around Giants’ Pac-Bell Park). He possessed a legendary wry wit that he shared generously. Importantly, Excell was a committed personal mentor to his younger brother Terrance Boyd.

A varsity basketball player before graduating from McLane High School, Fresno, CA. He later attended Canada College in Redwood City, CA majoring in early childhood education. He taught for six years at Ravenswood School District in East Palo Alto, and later worked in customer consultant/managerial roles at Safeway, FedEx Office, and most recently at Home Depot in Sunnyvale, CA.

He leaves to mourn his passing and honor his legacy a loving family (including his mother, brother, and a host of aunts (including Julia Douglas, Jackie Tucker, Bonnie Winters, and Paulette Tucker), uncles, cousins (including Meja Solomon, Tavia Johnson, Sandra Wilks-Williams, Deborah Wilks-McLaurin, and Roderick, Johnny and Anthony Wilks), and nieces and nephews. He joins in heaven his older sister Toni Wilks, father, and other loved ones. Excell’s light continues to shine bright in tributes shared by loving family, caring friends, co-workers, and his neighbors.

Due to current circumstances a celebratory event will occur at an undetermined later date to commemorate the life of Excell “Mike” Wilks. In the meantime, please share stories and memories with his family as these will sustain them in these difficult times.