Willard L. Umphrey Jr.

1975 - 2021

Willard "Will" Lee Umphrey Jr. died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 17th, 2021 at the age of 45 in Cambridge, MA. Will was born May 16, 1975 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Anne R. and Willard L. Umphrey. He grew up in Concord, Massachusetts graduating from The Fenn School in 1990 and Lawrence Academy in 1993. After graduation, Will moved to Colorado where he received emergency medical technician and fire academy certificates from Colorado Mountain College. He went on to receive an Associate of Applied Science with Registered Radiologic Technologist from Red Rocks Community College. After which, Will moved back to his home state of Massachusetts to be near family and work as a radiological technician. To further his life and career goals, he enrolled in Suffolk University. He will receive a posthumous Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Radiation Therapy from Suffolk University this May. Will overflowed with intellectual curiosity, musical ability, artistic talent, creativity, and caring. He loved the natural world and outdoor activities. As a lifelong learner, he mastered any subject he put his mind and precise hands to learn. An avid reader, he could recall the minutest detail of what he had read, which made him a formidable debate opponent. Using his incredible ear for music and voices, he became a mostly self-taught musician playing both guitar and piano; periodically working as a set musician for recording studios. He had the uncanny ability to recreate a tune after hearing it once and could name most voice actors he heard in cartoons and other media. His prolific art work spanned from drawing, painting, sculpture, collage, and many other varied forms. He reveled in the outdoors while walking, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, and kayaking with family and friends or alone. His love of animals shone through his time spent time working in an animal hospital when he was younger and by the love of his 2 rescue cats, Toki Lee and Eleanor Mae. His dedication to his work in radiology is a testament to his desire to care for others. He aspired to work in radiation oncology to help cancer patients after graduation. We miss and mourn Will and all his exceptional gifts which greatly enriched our our lives. His mind and spirit are now free to soar to the heights his mortal form would never allow. Will is survived by his fiance and domestic partner, Kenia Wiedemann; mother, Anne R. Umphrey; father, Willard "Bill" L. Umphrey and stepmother, Anne L. Umphrey; sister Catherine Cowart, her husband Julian Cowart, his nephew and godson their son Lawrence Cowart II; sister Hillary Umphrey; and brother Duncan Umphrey; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. The family plans to have an interment and small memorial gathering later this year in Concord. Anyone wishing to make a donation to honor Will and his love of animals, may contribute in Wills name to Critters Cavalry Rescue in Franklin, TN (www.crittercavalry.com). Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Wills online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.