Among other things, if you have been a part of Staunton's Disc Golf Club at all over the past 10 years you probably knew Will. He was a very compassionate person that loved people, loved playing disc golf, and loved telling stories. Will originally helped design and build the Kiwanis Disc Golf Course in Staunton, VA; and although pieces of the course have been redesigned over the years, his love and dedication were always apparent on the course. He spent countless hours each week, every year mowing the fairways and cleaning up the course so that everyone had a place to enjoy playing some disc golf. Last September, Will was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After battling for several months, he passed from this life to the next on March 13th of this year. More details of his story are contained within journal entries that Cindy, Will, and others posted on Will's CaringBridge site throughout his battle. This past Sunday (April 3rd), a Celebration of Life service was held to honor and celebrate Will Grant's life. Although I was unable to personally attend, I have heard several accounts from others that were there that it was a beautiful and touching service. (Click "Read More" for more) A few pictures by Roy Carter at the Celebration of Life serviceShared Memories from Cindy Grant: William Arthur Grant, Jr., known affectionately by his nickname Will Carson, was on this Earth from December 26, 1958 to March 13, 2016. I met him in 1981 and had the pleasure of his friendship and love for 35 years. He was a man of so many passions and interests, it seems impossible to represent him with pictures, but here is one from the beginning of our Earthly relationship, the middle, and the end. I loved him with my whole heart. I was fascinated by him and enjoyed living in the whirlwind he created as he lived his life. His first love was Jesus and he was a passionate evangelist. Next came his family. Then music. Always music. He wrote hundreds and hundreds of songs and performed every chance he got. He followed other musician's work with admiration and enthusiasm. He also played more sports than anyone I ever knew. During the first two decades I knew him, volleyball was his dominant sport, and during the last decade it became disc golf. In the last few years board games returned from his childhood to become the focus of his social life. He loved Mighty Mouse, Hogan's Heros, Mark Twain, and Hallmark Christmas movies. The older he became, the more he realized that encouraging and mentoring young people had really been his true life's work. His patience, endurance, and humor throughout his battle with pancreatic cancer was rewarded with an outpouring of love, affection, respect, and gratitude from those whose lives he had touched that quieted his heart and prepared him for his eternal home. He wanted most of all to be remembered as a storyteller. Pictures of Will Grant on the Course Thru the Years...Please Consider...I believe it would be awesome if each of you would comment on this blog post with the stories and memories of Will that you have had over the years. All of us that visit and read this post will be blessed to read them. Thank you in advance!
3 Comments
Courtney Biel
4/4/2016 04:17:29 pm
When I first heard about disc golf, I bought a few discs and played the Kiwanis course a couple times. I then stumbled on the club's website which was run by Will and contacted him. Soon I was introduced to him and many other local players. I always enjoyed disc golf rounds with Will; they were very entertaining and a lot of fun. I already truely miss his presence and personality. I also enjoyed the game nights at his house where we'd play board games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and many others.
Reply
Joey Reed
4/4/2016 05:25:22 pm
Will was a true friend to anyone that new him. I can't think of even one thing he ever said that was negative. His sense of humor was unique and it always lifted others spirits. He did so much for the course and the community and all he wanted in return was for it to be enjoyed by everyone who played it. It is rare to have known someone as special as will and his imprint on the community will never be forgotten
Reply
Lee Houser
4/7/2016 03:02:57 am
Man, it's hard to know what to say. It is always a surreal experience to lose someone close to you. I loved Will dearly and always enjoyed our time together. Much could be said about his sense of humor, his dedication, and his selflessness, but above all, I give thanks to our Father in Heaven for Will's commitment to the Saviour. "Precious in the sight of Yahuwah is the death of His saints." (Psalm 116:15) We will meet again on that great day. Praise His Name. It is my sincere prayer that everyone who reads this will take to heart this sobering reminder of how finite and uncertain our time on this side of eternity really is. Today is the day of salvation, my friends. Please don't delay. Commit your everything to the Saviour while there is yet time. None of us can boast that we know what tomorrow will bring. Love you guys. Hope to see you on the course sooner than later... :)
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
SAW BlogDisc Golf news and info for the Staunton, Augusta County, and Waynesboro area. Archives
May 2018
Categories
All
|