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William Blasius Obituary
William English Johnston Blasius, September 28, 1996 – July 2, 2016. With a joyful dive into the lake, our happy, life-loving boy left us too soon after an uncommonly spirited life. Arriving early on his parents' anniversary, Will has been surprising and delighting people ever since. Whether he was trying to make you laugh, singing, or talking to a complete stranger you always knew Will was in the room. Tagging along with his older siblings and their friends, he believed that he belonged, which of course, meant he did. Will loved school, not the classwork, but the people. After pledging Sigma Chi at UT last year, he joyfully announced, "I've got 85 new best friends!" If you met him, he would have been your friend. If you were with him, you were having a good time. If you knew him, you would be devastated at this loss. A born athlete, Will was always moving. At 5, on the driving range, the golfers gathered in amazement to see this child hit soaring drives. At 10, dribbling his soccer ball in and around his teammates. At 18, randomly picked to attempt a 20-yard field goal at halftime, he drilled it 40 yards right through the uprights to win free Chick-Fil-A for a year (which lasted for about three weeks because he shared it with everyone he knew).
Space cannot accommodate all of the people who Will considered family. He was a sweet and selfless son, brother, and friend who is survived by his parents Ellen Johnston and Wayne Blasius, and his siblings Andy, Caroline, and Sarah.
A celebration of Will's life will be held on Thursday, July 7th at 7:00pm at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends beginning at 5:30pm.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Mary Ann Snyder
July 15, 2016
Ellen, There are no words that describe the sorrow in my heart for your loss. You are in my prayers. Hoping somehow God's love through others will guide you through. Mary Ann (Kennally) Snyder
Kay McIntire
July 13, 2016
Dear Ellen & Wayne, You continue to be in my prayers. I pray He will carry you and provide for all of you during these difficult times.
July 11, 2016
Ellen,
I just heard this morning about the tragic loss of your wonderful son. My heart aches for you and I send you my love and adoration. May memories of your son warm your heart and allow you to celebrate the wonderful spirit you brought into this world. Kaye Bultemeier
Robert Lane
July 11, 2016
Sorry for your loss. Will most certainly made a positive impact on the lives of those who knew him.
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Jani and Tony Norman
July 9, 2016
My heart was so saddened to hear the news of Will's accident. What a tremendous loss to all who were so blessed to share him in their life. He was so fun in computer apps 4th period. No, he didn't like the work, but he would somehow get it done. (maybe copy and paste!) At your saddest moments I pray God will give you comfort in the thousands of stories and laughs you shared with Will. Sarah, you were my sunshine for each new day at West when you were in my computer apps class. You always helped to start my day on a happy note. I am so sorry you have to experience this pain but know one day, with the help of God's loving Grace, you will be able to smile again. May God give each of you a comfort that only He can provide.
Praying for each of you
Jani and Tony Norman
Malia Hall
July 8, 2016
Ellen, Wayne, Andy, Caroline and Sarah, The first time I met Will he approached me and said, " hi, I'm Will, and you are?" Then he shook my hand. I thought, such a wonderful young man. And it's apparent by what has been said about his life, that indeed he was. I'm so sorry that you all must experience such loss and heartache. My prayers are with you all. Aloha
Mark Maddox
July 8, 2016
I worked with Will at The Mast General Store and met his parents. I can only imagine their loss and am truly sorry he was taken from them in such an untimely manner. I'd like to think somehow God had other plans for Will that are much more important. Maybe someday we will understand but until then, peace be with you in time. He was really one of a kind and I won't forget him.
Betty Schohl
July 8, 2016
Ellen and family, my deepest sympathies to each of you. I hope that the happy memories of Will's joyfully lived life will bring some measure of comfort. You are in my thoughts.
Michelle Mokry
July 8, 2016
I was so saddend to hear of the loss of Will, what a tragedy! My heart goes out to Wayne and his family.
Vicki and Tim Puliz
July 8, 2016
Ellen and family--we cannot express how sorry we are on the loss of Will. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Karen McCormack
July 8, 2016
Ellen, Wayne and Family, We are praying for God's strength and comfort to surround you. He was a wonderful young man!
Deb Lebby
July 8, 2016
My prayers are with you all. There are not words to express my heartfelt sorry.
Elizabeth and Tom Burman
July 8, 2016
Ellen, Wayne and family -
How sorry I was to learn of your loss. May you be surrounded by love, peace and comfort. Certainly you are surrounded by our thoughts and prayers.
Ruth Edlund
July 8, 2016
Ellen, I am so sorry. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Erin Smith Ahlstedt
July 8, 2016
My heart is heavy to hear of such a loss. Will always made us laugh! I loved having him in my fifth grade class and I'm glad to read that light he always had continued to shine bright.
Marisue Smith
July 8, 2016
Ellen and family I am thinking of you all and sending love and prayers of strength your way
Molly Davis
July 7, 2016
I'm so sorry for the loss to your family. Prayers are with you for peace and that one day smiles at the memories take the place of tears.
Martin Daniel
July 7, 2016
Wayne, my deepest sympathy in your loss.
Susie Justice
July 7, 2016
I am so very sorry! My prayers and thoughts have been with your family! I loved hearing about your family through Rebekah ....prayers for you all!
Lynne Liddington
July 7, 2016
May you feel God's presence holding you close as you grieve Will. May perpetual light shine upon Will as he awaits your reunion in Heaven.
July 7, 2016
Dear Ellen,
Todd and I both send love and prayers to you and your family. My immediate impression after meeting him the night we met for dinner was ...a handsome gentleman with a smile and personality that could light up any room. Our son Andy loved him dearly and he will cherish their friendship and brotherhood forever.
Love,
Muffie and Todd Duggan
Lisa Jackson
July 7, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Wayne. There are no words powerful enough for such a loss! I can only hope that the wonderful memories you have with your son will bring you some peace.
July 7, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time
Roy and Rhonda Hughes (Ryan Perry's mom and dad)
Croft, Dottie & Courtney Walker
July 7, 2016
Prayers with your family during this most difficult time.
Heath and Danica Myrick
July 7, 2016
Wayne, Ellen and Family
Heath, Emma, Ellie and I were so saddened to hear about the loss of your precious Will. I remember all your children from our time at Ascension, but also what a bubbly little fellow Will was at the time. It looks like he grew into a wonderful young man and again we are so sorry for your loss.
AOII Tennessee
July 7, 2016
Alpha Omicron Pi at Tennessee is praying for you all! We are sending love to your family during this difficult time! We are here for you all!
July 7, 2016
To Wayne & Family: Jean and I express our sincere and heartfelt sorrow to you at the loss of Will. We are strong believers in God's Love and Eternity in Paradise. We will pray for you all to see you through this time until we are all united in the presence of God. All our Love, Steve & Jean Rouse
Jennifer Gentry
July 7, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Will was a chip off the old block from his mom and dad I am sure - Great, fun loving, amazing people. I am so sorry for your loss. Please find comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Lisa McCoig
July 7, 2016
Constantly thinking of your entire family. Will was a precious person who touched so many of our lives. Max and I will always remember him with a smile on our faces. Much love and many, many prayers. Lisa, Maggie and Max McCoig
July 7, 2016
So very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace & his memory be eternal. Praying for comfort & peace for the family durning such a difficult time. You are all in our thoughts & prayers . God Bless you all.
Danny & Rhoda Harb
Kimberly Phillips McCuiston
July 7, 2016
I never had the privilege of meeting Will, but I did have the privilege to teach his sister Caroline and to meet his mother at Bearden Middle. What a loving, fun, kind-hearted family to have suffered such a loss. My heart and prayers are with you during this time.
July 7, 2016
Dear Ellen, Wayne and family,
We mourn the tragic loss of your beloved Will. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, especially today and you celebrate his sweet life.
Love The Case Family,
John, Stephanie, Ayden, Eli & Ethan
Scarlett and Tim Current
July 7, 2016
Our prayers will continue to be with your family. I never met Will but our daughter McCall was his friend and was with him that day on the lake. She and our family are so saddened by the loss of your sweet son. His spirit of laughter,fun and love will undoubtedly be remembered and live on in the people who knew and loved him. May God bless you all.
Kappa Delta
July 7, 2016
The Alpha Epsilon chapter of Kappa Delta is praying for your family during this difficult time. We are all here for you Ms. Ellen!
Sandi Swilley
July 7, 2016
A heartfelt tribute to a life taken too soon. You are in my prayers Ellen and Wayne.
Gary Dunn
July 7, 2016
I knew Will through my son, his pledge brother, and he deeply touched my son's life in a totally positive way and I thank him for that.
Michael Lewis
July 7, 2016
Dear Ellen, Wayne and family,
We're devastated by the loss of cousin Will. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the Blasiuses and Johnstons.
Love,
Michael, Kimberly and Patrick Lewis
The Goddard Family
July 7, 2016
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for family and friends.
Dawn Mokros
July 7, 2016
I am so very sorry for your loss. Chandler loved Will. I felt like I knew him because she talked about him all the time. He could make her smile like no one else could. We are all heart broken. What an amazing young man he was. May God bless you with peace knowing he was a joy to so many people.
Dawn Mokros (Chandler's Mom)
Deborah Hulsey
July 7, 2016
Rest in Peace. Prayers and hugs.
Brandy (Loy) Williams
July 7, 2016
Our prayers for peace and comfort are with you today and always.
Loy / Williams Family
Frankie Wade
July 7, 2016
Ellen and Wayne, my prayers will continue for you and all who loved Will. No words are adequate to comfort you. The obituary brought smiles of joy tho for a special young man gone too soon. God be with you.
Julie Langley
July 7, 2016
Absolutely tragic to lose such a fun-loving, kind-hearted person. His influence over his short life is expansive. Prayers for peace and comfort for his family and friends.
Marge Antunes Babick
July 7, 2016
Wayne and Family, I am so sorry that you have lost your wonderful Will. It sounds like he brought joy to all who knew him and will be so missed. Thinking of you and sending prayers and my sincere condolences to all of you.
Julie Fisher
July 7, 2016
Ellen, I pray the Lords loving arms can hold you and comfort you during these difficult days. You and your family will be in my continued prayers.
Love,
Julie Johnson Fisher
Andy and Dale Powers
July 7, 2016
"I'm sorry" seems so inadequate. Your family is in our prayers. Eternal light shine on him, O Lord, and grant him rest.
Stephanie Tipton
July 7, 2016
Thoughts and prayers with his friends and family!
- The Tipton Family
Nicole & Judy CECU Main office
July 7, 2016
Wayne, Sarah and family we are so sorry for your loss!! We are praying for you all!!
Molly Mouser
July 7, 2016
What a fine young man Will was. And his wonderful family will miss him terribly, but he has many loving family members who greeted him on the other side. My thoughts are with Ellen and everyone, today and always.
Keena Strickland
July 7, 2016
My deepest and sincerest condolences for the loss of an amazing young man, loved by everyone who ever came in contact with him. I've never witnessed a more moving gathering of hundreds of friends to all pay tribute and share their loving and quite funny stories of Will. I know how proud you must feel and saddened at the same time. Prayers to all who knew and loved Will.
Cory Compton
July 7, 2016
Ellen you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers....God Bless you all!
Linda Rust
July 7, 2016
Thinking of you all and sharing your heartbreak. Hoping you can find comfort in knowing how well Will was loved by so many.
July 7, 2016
What a spirit Will had, and what a gift to all who knew him. One of my favorite students that I have never forgotten. Every time I have thought of him over the years I have smiled!
Praying for your precious family.
Amy Ayres (Will's kindergarten teacher at West Hills Baptist)
Nic Arning
July 7, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please know we are thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers during this heartbreaking time.
Mary Ann Murdoch
July 7, 2016
Our hearts are breaking for you. This world has lost a shining light...Will was a young man who made everyone feel loved, happy and accepted. Love you all. We are deeply sorry for your devastating loss.
Judy Pate
July 7, 2016
Praying that God will hold you all close as you walk through this dark and painful season. Much love to you all - Judy and Mark Pate
Patricia Long
July 7, 2016
Leaving the vigil last night I was so impressed and touched by Will and his friends and their joy in his memories. It's how you make others feel that is truly important, and he made everyone feel like they were his best friend. Such a great kid. He was special. We pray for your loss and all will try to be more like Will everyday.
Leslie and Barry Henderson
July 7, 2016
Words fail me, Wayne, but just know that our hearts ache for your pain. The obituary was a beautiful tribute.
kate lenoir
July 7, 2016
I am so very sorry for your loss!!! Praying for your Family!!
Janell Perkins Pfoertner
July 7, 2016
My thoughts and best wishes are with you now and in the days to come. Bless you all.
Janette Perkins
July 7, 2016
Ellen and Family,
I am so sorry to hear that this lovely boy has left you so suddenly and much too soon. It sounds like he has lived life to its fullest and I hope that gives you comfort.
Lori Harris
July 6, 2016
My son, a student at UT, has wonderful things to say about your Will. My heart breaks for you all. Praying for peace, comfort and strength for the days and weeks ahead.
Libby Saldutti Kerlin
July 6, 2016
I was so saddened to hear of the untimely death of your son, Will. My son, also a Sigma Chi, had many wonderful things to say about him and the vibrant person that he was. There are few words to offer you that can ease the pain and heartache of your loss - I am so very sorry! Praying for God's comfort and strength as you face the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Sue Bragg
July 6, 2016
My heart broke for you when I heard of your loss. I will continue to pray that God give you comfort.
Kelly and John Jancek
July 6, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Will was a beautiful soul that will be dearly missed.
July 6, 2016
Ellen, Wayne, Andy, Caroline & Sarah:
There are no words to express how shocked and sad we are about Will's death. Please know we are thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers during this heartbreaking time. Love, Elizabeth & John Robinson
Morgan Murphy
July 6, 2016
I barely knew Will but he was always kind to me. I am terribly sorry for your loss
Gary and Sandy Farlow
July 6, 2016
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. We pray for God's peace and comfort for you and your family.
Michael and Shelley Ebeling
July 6, 2016
We are so sorry for the heartbreaking loss of your son, Will. Praying for you to have strength and peace. May his memory be eternal.
Fondly,
July 6, 2016
Wayne & Ellen, we are so, so sad for your entire family. Please know we love and support you, Janie & Turner Howard
Janell Perkins Pfoertner
July 6, 2016
My thoughts and best wishes are with you now and in the future.
Stephanie Cook
July 6, 2016
I am so very sorry to learn of your loss. Each of you will be in my prayers for peace and comfort now and in the days and weeks to come.
K. J. Orick Smith
July 6, 2016
Wayne, Ellen and Family - We are heartbroken for your loss. Will was a sweet boy, and we will always remember him fondly. Praying for God's peace in the days and months to come. K.J. Orick Smith & Brandon Burke
Dotty, Brandy, Amanda 640 CECU
July 6, 2016
Wayne, Sarah and family, We are very heartbroken about the loss of Will. We are lifting each of you all up in prayer.
Janette Perkins
July 6, 2016
Ellen, I am so sorry to hear about Will's death. It is a terribly shocking time for you and your family. I am thinking of you.
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