Born and raised in
San Francisco, Wilsey is the son of Al Wilsey (1919–2002),[6] a businessman, and
Pat Montandon, a socialite and peace activist. He is the stepson of socialite and philanthropist
Dede Wilsey.
Wilsey is a former editor-at-large for
McSweeney's Quarterly Concern. His newest book, a wide-ranging series of essays, More Curious, was published by McSweeney's in 2014.
He is married to Daphne Beal, who is also a writer.[7]