Dear Will,

It is hard to believe that you’ve been gone seven years. We were looking at some old slides of Kirk’s father and came across pictures from the neighborhood and birthday parties.  And it was always easy to pick you out because your expressions of wonder, joy and fun lovingness  stuck with you to adulthood We love you and miss you much.

We are in the process of moving and in digging out an old album from our Days at El Cerrito I saw your sophomore picture! You signed it and told me you could only give me a small wallet because your acne didn’t show up as much. We laughed together and we swore we could count each pimple on our teenage faces! Simple sweet memories. You are always missed and thought of! ❤️

Many people know of Willis’ accomplishments with his work and his church outreach programs.  Not many people know that Willis and Melissa are both accomplished martial artists.  I first met Willis in 2003 at our Kung Fu School.  He and Melissa were already advanced students, training upwards of 4 days a week. Willis tended to add his own ‘flavor’ into the martial arts routines we were learning.  The term “Big Willy Style” was coined, and seemed to encourage him to go further with his own unique interpretations of traditional moves.  Looking back, it’s obvious he put this “Big Willy Style” into everything he did.  He lived his life with Big Willy Style.  I’ve put together a short video of some of his tournament footage, in the videos section of this site.  Willis, there will never again be anyone quite like you.  I am humbled to have known you as a friend.

Sincerely, Geoffrey O'Brien.