Will enjoyed his time at Hall Orchard, Humphrey Perkins and Rawlins and was a popular and active student throughout. He was a member of the Barrow cricket team and was a cub scout in Barrow too. Will learned to swim when Hall Orchard took their children to Humphrey Perkins’ swimming pool and later joined Belgrave Swimming Club, and then Loughborough Town. He learned to surf on family holidays in Cornwall from a young age and this hobby soon turned into a passion. Sadly, it was while surfing on holiday this summer that Will passed away, aged just 29 years.

Will was always an active and social person, able to communicate and negotiate confidently with peers and authority alike. At Humphrey Perkins, he was instrumental in lobbying for a fingerprint recognition scheme in the school canteen, as part of his student representative role. For a while, he was employed as a lifeguard at Charnwood Leisure Centre, in between his studies. He read English Literature at Plymouth University and was student representative for his course, where he honed his listening and communication skills. He volunteered as student ambassador for the university open days for prospective students; ran the Plymouth Half Marathon (raising money for charity) and was part of the university swimming and water polo club. “That was typical of the person Will was,” said his mother, “he always did those extra things, going above and beyond…”. As an adult, he skied, snowboarded, played tennis at Loughborough, cycled, and enjoyed playing golf with his friends.

After graduating, Will was appointed to a role at an advertising agency in Leicester. He then took some time out to live his dream and go travelling for a year, joined for some of the time by his parents, sister, and long-term girlfriend. On his return, he was re-appointed to a role at the advertising agency and he was subsequently promoted to account manager.

Will’s mother said he could light up a room with his smile and engaging personality, for which he’ll always be fondly remembered. He always had a passion for travelling, and loved meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. His last trip was a holiday to South America, where he had wanted to visit at the end of his travels a few years earlier, but had run out of time. He learned some Spanish to help him communicate with the local people he met there, and spent a fun-filled two weeks trekking and sightseeing.

Over 400 people attended a service for Will at Holy Trinity Church including some of his old university friends who made the long trip to Barrow. They told his family that they had held their own reunion in honour of Will; had written their own personal messages and memories and sent them into the sky in Chinese lanterns. Will’s family are in discussions with Plymouth University about a Graduation Award in his name, for student engagement – so an award for an English student who’s gone the extra mile to make positive contributions to the broader student experience.

Will leaves behind a very close and loving family. His sister is just 21 months older than Will and holds memories of “a very energetic, mischievous brother”. His family has decided to take up some of Will’s favourite activities to help keep him close to them and to stay connected: tennis, golf and playing guitar to name but a few. They are so proud of what Will achieved in his short life, and will always treasure the joy he gave them and his infectious energy.

Karisa Krcmar 
(co-written with Will’s family)