William Joseph Herning

William Joseph Herning, 42, passed away unexpectedly in June, leaving behind a legacy of curiosity, kindness and adventure that will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born Feb. 12, 1983, in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Guy Wesley and Halyna Herning, Will grew up with an insatiable curiosity and a natural gift for mechanics. From cars to the stars, he immersed himself in learning, driven to understand how things work.

Homeschooled alongside his three siblings, Will and got opportunities out of the ordinary to explore and learn. He kept up with the older kids - snowmachining, dirt biking and Civil Air Patrol. They spent hours on adventures in the woods surrounding their home, oftentimes playing war games in head to toe camo pestering their neighbors.

The family visited their remote cabin year-round where they were enveloped by nature. The Hernings grew a large garden, fished in Chitina, and went blueberry picking yearly as a family. They enjoyed hiking, camping, and spontaneous cookouts at the end of remote roads. These experiences shaped Will's love and respect for nature, and and gave him a deep sense of gratitude for God's creation.

A born explorer, Will spent endless hours outdoors searching for unique rocks, minerals and fossils - an innate Herning family trait he like to share with his friends and family.

Will pursued hands-on learning at Hutchison Career Center, where he earned his HC Certified Mechanic accreditation. His desire to challenge himself propelled him further and he became a Journeyman Electrician, later joining IBEW Local 1547. Will's work ethic, skill, and dedication earned him respect in his trade, and he approached every task with enthusiasm and a desire to teach.

Will's passions extended far beyond his career. He enjoyed spending time with his twins, helping with homework, reading them the classics, fixing bikes, teaching them to skate and painting their bedroom as a family. Will was a man of many talents. There wasn't a home repair he couldn't handle, alway happy to help. He enjoyed playing guitar, driving anything with a motor, powerlifting and was an avid hockey player. Will taught his nieces to skate as well and brought them to his hockey games where he played center for the "Average Joe's."

A scientist at heart, Will immersed himself in any subject that sparked his interest. Whether reading scientific journals or casual articles, he approached learning with relentless curiosity - always eager to share his discoveries and encourage others.

Will's caring spirit, warm smile and generous heart touched many. Though his loss leaves a profound void, the values he lived - curiosity, resilience and love - will continue to guide those who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Mary (Eberhardt) Herning and Marta (Kobenko) Wiwczar; father, Guy Wesley Herning; brother, David Herning; aunt, Suzanne Herning; and uncles, Gary Herning and Edward Pawlowski.

Will is survived by his children, Guy Wesley and Emma Herning; his love , Jayme Lyle; mother, Halyna Herning; siblings, Rebekah (Herning) Light and Nathan Herning; nieces, Megan Jones, Audrey Dixon, Diane and Rainney Light, and Kaylen and Riley Herning; aunt, Arleeta Reynolds; and many cousins, extended family and friends.

Will was laid to rest on Birch Hill on July 11, 2025, beside his father, Guy.

A celebration of Will's life will be held in June 2026 at Aurora Pointe. The time and date will be announced closer to the event - please visit www.aurorapointe.net for updates. We invite all who knew him to join us next summer.