Donald Wilson (Will) Short, Jr

Donald Wilson (Will) Short, Jr shared his life and love of it with his family and friends for 29 wonderful years. We honor and are grateful for his life.

Born in Tokyo, the nurse reiterated, "No mix up, this one is yours", as he had a crop of curly blond hair and blue eyes. Will differentiated himself even from birth.

Will spent the next three years in India, and gained a real understanding of poverty at a very young age. Will had empathy for the less fortunate all the days of his life and cultural differences were advantages to him, not prejudices.

Will moved to England and life's challenge of dylexia surfaced. Sports, a loving family and lots of travel were a proper anecdote.

A move to Houston gave Will solid footing ... The Joy School and Mrs. Flowers taught him to read. First Presbyterian Middle School and Kinkaid gave him more friends, education and sports. Upon arriving at his Shadyside home in Houston, Will rode his bike to every neighbor's house, knocked on the door and introduced himself. Later he replicated the feat when his brother Max arrived to Houston. Charm and kindness were always his strong suit.

Dallas became his next home, where he attended and graduated from Southern Methodist University and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

His business career began with a job at The Hershey Company in Scottsdale. We watched him mature and become a fine young man. He was surrounded by some precious friends there.

Then Dad bought a distillery in Dallas and over the last two years, Will has been the right-hand man in all aspects of the business, particularly with marketing.

Will was thrilled to be Best Man at Max & Cecily's wedding in NYC and gave a show-stopping toast.

He was described as an old soul many times, and in general, his caring for others was his gift. He loved his family, friends, animals and life.

We take comfort in knowing that God loved Will completely and decided to take him home. We are a Christian family that believes heaven is a better place. Will was christened at Tokyo Union Church and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church, Houston.

While we feel alone today, we are reminded of the Mavis Staple song that says, "You Are Not Alone." Jesus has Will in his hands and many grandparents and friends are in Heaven with him. We love and miss you Will!

Will is survived by his parents, Ann & Don Short of Dallas, Texas, as well as his brother and wife, Max & Cecily Elizondo of Brooklyn, NY. He is preceded in death by his grandparents on both sides of our family. However, he knew and loved both his Grandmothers dearly ... Mary Ann McCoy Mock and Margaret Wilson Short. Likewise he loved his Aunts, Uncles and cousins from both the Short and Mock families.

A celebration of Will's life will be held at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd, Dallas, Texas 75205 on January 31, 2024 at 2pm. A reception will follow at the church at 3pm and a celebration of Will's life will follow at New Artisan Distillery, 8202 Chancellor Row, Dallas, Texas from 4-6pm.

A live stream of the service can be found at https://hppres.org/memorial

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Will's favorite school, The Joy School, Houston, Texas. https://www.thejoyschool.org