William Lee "Will" Caviness

GREENSBORO - Captain William "Will" Lee Caviness died Sunday October 9, 2011. A much beloved father, husband, son, brother, cousin, friend, and uncle, Will was a 35-year old firefighter with the Greensboro Fire Department (GFD) for eight years. He passed while running in the Chicago Marathon to raise money for burn victims at his best time ever, a goal he had trained for two and a half years to attain.

Services will be held on Saturday, October 15 at 1 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, followed by visitation with the family, and a pot luck meal in the church Fellowship Hall.

Surviving are his wife of 11 years, Jennifer "Jenny" Britt Caviness; son Jack William Caviness; daughter Caroline Michelle Caviness; mother Karen Rierson Russell and step-father Keith Russell; father Marion Lee Caviness and wife Wanda Caviness; brother Captain Robert Sean Caviness and wife Kathy; nephews Justin, Will; nieces Peapod and Cammie, maternal grandmother Dorothy Rierson and paternal grandmother Lavinia Caviness. He is survived by his life-long best friend Brad Shumate.

Also surviving are William "Bill" Caviness, Sally Blazer, Billy Caviness, Mitch Caviness, Chuck Rierson, Susan Rierson, Reese Rierson, Charlie Rierson and wife Jesse, parents-in-law Bill and Lee Britt; sister-in-law Courtney Britt Wolfrom; niece Elizabeth; and many loving cousins.

Will was a natural athlete. He played almost every sport but loved soccer, baseball, and hockey. He was the kicker on the Grimsley football team and an excellent Hockey Player. He also participated in a Tuesday night Bowling League. He also loved fishing. He taught his son to fish at Hamilton Lakes, the same place he learned. He also loved to shore fish at the beach. His favorite place in the world was with his family at the beach.

Will was a devoted family man and a fierce protector of everyone he loved. He was known for his dry sense of humor and his ability to stay calm and consistent in all aspects of life and practically. He was often described as a rock for many of his family and friends. He existed with the mentality of mind over matter. Will put 100% into every task he committed to in life, but nothing ever surpassed the needs of his loved ones. Family was always his first priority; he and Jenny had been together for over 13 years, and were known by all who knew them to be true life soul-mates. As a Greensboro native, he was well-known and highly active in the community. He was also beloved by many of the kids of the Greensboro Youth Council and the Youth Citizen's Fire Academy. Will was also an Elk with Lodge #602.

Will was a graduate of Grimsley High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science with a concentration in aquatics therapy and rehabilitation from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was a water-lover, a life-long athlete and had been an avid runner since 2009. A veteran marathoner, Will entered the Chicago Marathon with the goal to raise $2,000 for the International Association of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, and to qualify for the Boston Marathon. As of October 12, donations had reached the $15,500 mark.



Will began with the GFD in March of 2003, and was promoted to captain on December 1, 2010. He spent much of his career at station 5 with an amazing crew and family. He earned certifications in emergency training, a wide spectrum of rescue techniques, and saved many lives in his time with GFD. He earned nine commendations while with GFD, including two life-saving awards, 4 rescue awards and the Chief's award. His Fire department family was very important to him. He took his position very seriously and had enormous respect for the Fire Service. The International Association of Fire Fighters' Medal of Honor will be presented to Jenny, at the funeral. Will was and is a real life hero. His memorial page can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/captainwillcaviness. A memorial fund has been set up by the Greensboro Local 947 to benefit the Caviness family. Donations can be made and sent to the Will Caviness Memorial Fund, Greensboro Municipal Federal Credit Union, 217 N. Greene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.

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