Mike Willes: Lehi Holiday Lights, 40 Years in Construction | Roots & Branches

Mike Willes: Lehi Holiday Lights, 40 Years in Construction | Roots & Branches

Mike Willes shares his story of growing up in Lehi, Utah, a 40-year career with Leighton Construction, and the beloved holiday light displays that became a northern Utah tradition. Part of the Roots & Branches of Lehi podcast archive.

Mike Willes on a Lifetime in Lehi, 40 Years in Construction, and the Holiday Lights That Brought a Community Together

Introduction

At a Glance

Episode Highlights

Stories from the Interview

A Life Within a Half Mile of Birth

Four Decades at Leighton Construction

The "Uncurable Disease" of Decorating

Beating the Doctor's Timeline

A Proposal Among the Lights

The Schulz Connection

Why Christmas Keeps Going

Watching from the Recliner

Historical Insights About Lehi

Community & Legacy Themes

Words That Stay With You

Related Lehi Topics

Photo & Visual Suggestions

Full Transcript

Chapter 1: Introduction to Roots and Branches of Lehi

Chapter 2: Meet Mike Willes: A Lifelong Resident of Lehi

Chapter 3: Mike's Career in Construction

Chapter 4: The Evolution of Lehi Through Mike's Eyes

Chapter 5: A Passion for Holiday Displays

Chapter 6: Family Support & Community Involvement

Chapter 7: The Impact of Mike's Displays on the Community

Chapter 8: Reflecting on the Journey

Chapter 9: The Impact of Cancer

Chapter 10: Off-Road Adventures

Chapter 11: Christmas Decorations & Community Involvement

Chapter 12: Family & Foster Care

Chapter 13: Legacy & Community Influence

From a small town of 5,000 and a few stop signs to a beloved northern Utah landmark—Mike Willes spent four decades building Utah's foundations, then built something even more lasting: a gathering place where school buses, limos, and marriage proposals meet under thousands of lights.

Guest Profile

Mike Willes

40-year employee, Leighton Construction

Creator of Lehi's iconic holiday displays

Lifelong Lehi resident — born & still here

Pioneer-era family roots in Lehi First Ward

Growing up within a half mile of where he was born, Mike Willes represents a rare and steady thread woven through the changing fabric of Lehi, Utah. His life spans the era when Lehi had "practically only a couple stop signs and 5,000 people" and extends into the city's modern growth. Mike spent 40 years with Leighton Construction, helping build the physical foundations of Utah while remaining deeply rooted in the community that shaped him.

But Mike is best known today for something far more colorful: his extraordinary holiday displays. What began as a small interest grew into a beloved Lehi tradition—an elaborate, year-round rotation of Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's, and St. Patrick's decorations that draws school buses, limos, and families from across northern Utah. His yard has become a gathering place, a landmark, and a source of joy for thousands. As Mike says, "It's just something I enjoy… a labor of love for the community."

His story is one of family legacy, quiet service, creativity, and resilience. From pioneer-era roots to modern neighborhood traditions, Mike's life reflects the heart of Lehi: community connection, faith, and the simple power of bringing people together.

Join host Ryan Harding for the full conversation with Mike Willes—a story of small-town Lehi, a lifetime of construction, and the holiday light displays that turned a front yard into a community landmark.

Guest

Role in Lehi

Construction veteran; creator of Lehi's beloved holiday light displays

Years Discussed

1950s – 2020s

Episode Number

RB-036

Primary Topics

Mike opens the interview with a statement that encapsulates his entire story: "I live within a half mile of where I was born." In an age of transience, he has never strayed far from his origins. His grandfather bought a house in Lehi, his father owned property on the same block, and his brother Dell's family still lives nearby. Mike himself moved the "furthest away"—but still within Lehi city limits. He has been a Lehi First Warder for 73 years.

Before the lights, there was concrete. Mike's construction career began through a connection made on his church mission: his companion Deoy Adams's father worked for Tecton Incorporated and helped him get started. After a year or two, Mike moved to Leighton Construction, where he stayed for 40 years. By the time he left in 2014, he was second in seniority. Leon Al Jr., the owner, trusted him so completely that he had Mike build his personal house.

Mike describes his decorating passion with a grin as "an uncurable disease." It started small. He saw other people's displays and thought, "I can do that." Then, in typical fashion: "I don't do anything—go big or go home." Today the setup consumes roughly 400 hours each for Halloween and Christmas. Every artificial tree is reinforced with rebar driven into the ground. Plastic stands are replaced with metal ones so the cold won't crack them. Even the rebar gets shorter each year so Mike doesn't have to lift as high.

In one of the interview's most moving moments, Mike reveals that doctors told him he wouldn't live to see last Christmas. He did. Prostate cancer metastasized to his bones, leaving him with four back operations and strict orders not to lift anything. Rather than letting the tradition die, his brother volunteered to handle the heavy lifting, joining Mike's wife to keep the displays alive. "It's become a family affair," Mike says—and a testament to stubborn hope.

The displays have become more than scenery; they are ritual. A young man brought his date to see Mike's Christmas lights. A year later, he returned to the same yard and proposed. Marriage proposals have become a recurring feature of Mike's front lawn. Stretch limousines cruise by twice a night with different passengers. School buses unload dozens of children at Halloween. One night, three buses arrived at once.

Because Mike's display includes Peanuts characters, word spread through unusual channels. The granddaughter of Charles Schulz—creator of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock—learned about the display and visited in person. She came bearing gifts: a commemorative book celebrating the 100th anniversary of Schulz's birth, plus handmade items of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Woodstock. She now lives on property that once belonged to Mike's family farm.

Mike used to sink into real depression when Christmas ended and the takedown began. His solution was radical: keep going. After Christmas comes Valentine's Day—leave up the red. Then St. Patrick's Day—switch to green. His house and sheds are lined with permanent RGB trim lights he controls from his phone. Now there is no end, only rotation. "I'd rather decorate than go to Italy or anything," he says.

Mike installed cameras around his property and placed a monitor beside his recliner. When a crowd gathers outside, he and his wife pause the television and simply watch. He has placed spinning lights near speakers, and when families dance and stomp on the projections, the Willeses laugh along from inside. It is not performance for them; it is communion.

1950s Small-Town Lehi

Lehi once had only a few stop signs and a population around 5,000. Mike's childhood memories capture a town where everyone knew each other and growth was still unimaginable.

Multi-Generational Neighborhoods

Families like the Willeses often lived within the same block or neighborhood for generations. Mike's grandfather, father, uncles, and brother all held property within walking distance.

Transformation of Lehi

From a small rural town to a booming city, Lehi's growth has reshaped its landscape. Mike recalls a time when the town was so small that commercial holiday decorations were unavailable—residents simply built their own.

Holiday Displays as Community Culture

Mike's yard has become part of Lehi's modern community fabric. What began as one man's hobby has evolved into a tradition that brings school buses, limos, and families from across the region.

Home-Built Traditions

In earlier decades, nativity scenes and holiday figures were prohibitively expensive or unavailable. Mike painted his own nativity figures and engineered custom supports rather than buying pre-made displays.

The Lehi First Ward Legacy

Mike identifies proudly as a "Lehi First Warder for 73 years." The ward system has anchored social life in Lehi for generations, and Mike's loyalty reflects the deep institutional ties that shaped old Lehi.

I live within a half mile of where I was born.

On Roots

I don't do anything—go big or go home.

On His Philosophy

It's an uncurable disease… started out small, got big.

On Decorating

The doctor said I wouldn't be here for last Christmas.

On Defying the Odds

Every display out there singly costs more than my power bill for the month.

On the Economics of Joy

I used to get really depressed when Christmas was over… so I thought, just put something else up.

On Year-Round Celebration

We wasn't apart from day one. Ever.

On Meeting His Wife

I'd rather decorate than go to Italy or anything.

On Passion

We pause the TV and just watch the people outside.

On Community Connection

I'm a Lehi First Warder for 73 years—born and still am.

On Institutional Loyalty

This episode connects to a broader archive of Lehi stories. Readers interested in Mike Willes's memories may also want to explore these themes from the Roots & Branches of Lehi collection:

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