Mike's obituary
Michael Norville, a devoted family man, respected prosecutor, and unwavering Arizona Wildcats fan passed away on April 20, 2026, from complications following a stroke. He was 65 years old.
Born in Blue Island, Illinois, Mike moved to Tucson, Arizona, as a child with his parents Allan and Alfie Norville and siblings, Jim, Patti, and Cher. He was a proud graduate of St. Mary’s College and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona Law School. Mike dedicated his professional life to public service, embarking on a distinguished 28-year career as a prosecutor with the City of Phoenix, pro-tem judge with the City of Tempe, and and a licensed attorney in the state of Alaska.
While his career was impactful, Mike’s heart belonged to his family. He met and married the love of his life, Billie, and together they built a vibrant life in Phoenix, spending the last 8 years in Tucson. At the time of his passing, Mike and Billie were just six weeks shy of celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary—a true testament to the love they shared. Mike’s greatest pride was his children—Lexie, Austin, and Ben. He was a constant source of wisdom and support, raising them to be people of integrity by leading with honesty.
While many were intimidated by Mike’s presence, those who took the time to know him quickly discovered a man of immense warmth. He was hilariously sarcastic, deeply giving, and possessed a kindness that touched everyone in his inner circle. Mike was constantly being dragged around the world by his wife, and though he complained frequently, he loved the adventures they shared together. A world traveler to the end, Mike reached a rare milestone this past November when he set foot on his seventh continent, Antarctica. This final summit was a longtime dream shared between Mike and his sons, Austin and Ben. He was captivated by the continent’s pristine beauty, calling it his favorite destination of all. The family deeply treasures these final memories of a dream achieved together.
At home, Mike was most at peace in his favorite recliner, a position from which he accidentally "butt-dialed" friends and family with impressive frequency. A master of both binge buying new gadgets for the house and giving unsolicited advice, Mike spent his best days meticulously building Lego sets, and 'monitoring' his family’s every move with precision, all while scrolling his iPad. He was also a romantic in his own right, frequently whisking Billie away on special trips to Costco.
An avid and lifelong University of Arizona Wildcats fan, Mike’s loyalty to his alma mater was legendary. He truly bled red and blue, embodying the "Bear Down" spirit in every aspect of his life. A highlight of his final weeks was the joy of traveling to cheer on his beloved team in the Elite Eight and Final Four—a fitting "last hurrah" for a man whose dedication to the Wildcats never wavered.
Mike is reunited in peace with his mother, Alfie Norville, and his brother, Jim Norville. He is survived by his loving father, Allan Norville, wife Billie Norville, his daughter Lexie Morris (Stuart), and his sons Austin and Ben Norville. He was grandpa to Wyatt and Harper Morris, and the dear brother of Patti Spector and Cher Norville. “Uncle Mike” was cherished by his many nieces and nephews.
A private celebration of life will be held to honor Mike’s memory.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Mike’s memory to the Ramon Murillo III Foundation