When a healthy, athletic young person goes before their time, it's one of the most difficult situations a family can go through. Sunday morning, the Wilson family lost their son Stanford Chance Wilson, better known as Chance, 25, of Huntsville. He was born February 14, 1990 in Huntsville, the son of Stan and Cathy Wilson, and passed away on March 29, 2015. Chance graduated from Buckhorn High School in 2008 and then attended Alabama A&M from 2009 to 2012 and played football as a punter and kicker. While there, he was named preseason All-SWAC 2nd Team Specialist and won the Phillip Steele All-SWAC 2nd team Specialist award. Chance set the A&M record books with a 49 yard field goal which was the highest in his career too. One of the neat things about being a kicker at A&M, he got to play at some of the best stadiums; he has played at Soldier Field (Chicago Bears), LP Field (Tennessee Titans) and Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts) . One of the most memorable games of his life was playing Auburn University at Jordan Hare Stadium. Chance did not just stand out because he was a white kicker at a historically black university; he stood out because he was an exceptional athlete and a great friend. He will forever be known for the longest punt in Bulldog history. He loved his team at A&M. Chance was the guy who, you know, if they had a 'Mr. Congeniality,' he would have had it— because he did not
know a stranger. He had no problem saying that he loved you and no problem giving you a hug. Treating everyone like family came natural to Chance. Following in his father's footsteps, Chance started his own company called Empire Bail Bond Co. Inc. which opened in February of 2014. Chance is preceded in death by his grandparents Lawson and Dot Lacy and grandparents Brown and Peggy Wilson. Chance is survived by his parents Stan and Cathy Wilson of Huntsville; his sister and brother in law Lindsay and Matt Putnam and his sister Tori Wilson. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, a niece and nephew. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Berryhill Funeral Home. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 31 from 5 to 8 pm at Willowbrook Baptist Church on Bailey Cove Road. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at 11:00 am at the same location with a burial to follow at Maple Hill Cemetery. The visitation attire is casual. The family asks that you wear something that represents how you knew Chance or reminds you of him and what he loved such as Empire Bail Bond, A&M, UAB, Lambda Cha Alpha or Buckhorn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Chance Wilson to: The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Huntsville, P.O. Box 73, Huntsville, AL 35804