We derive the gauge-theory Hamiltonian in the axial gauge directly from the path integral defined by the Wilson lattice action. We define the state space for the gauge field coupled to Wilson fermions and derive noncanonical equal-time anticommutation equations for Wilson fermions. We show that the Hamiltonian is nonlocal for fermions with canonical anticommutation. We derive the color charge operator and formulate Gauss's law for the system. We then evaluate the lattice action starting from a lattice fermionic Hamiltonian, and derive a boundary term in addition to the finite-time continuum action. Lastly we discuss our results.