Will Taylor Bonsey passed away on May 17, 2012.
He lost his seven-year hard-fought battle with a neuro-immune disease.
All those who knew Will, will remember him as the boy who never would sit on the sideline just watching. He was a doer who enthusiastically took on any challenge. Will believed there were no limits to what he could accomplish if he just pushed himself hard enough and practiced again and again. Will never gave up trying to improve his skills, often past the point of other people’s patience. Will wanted to experience the most from himself, from life, and all that this world had to offer. Will ran towards life embracing any challenge or adventure like a moth to a flame. Will’s hard work, focus and never ending persistence paid off. He was an amazing athlete and student. His confidence and enthusiasm to participate in life enabled him to make fast and easy friends in any environment, whether he was a 5-year-old boy playing pool with adult cowboys in Montana or as a teenager organizing a jam session with the local kids in a small village in France. Age or language barriers were just another obstacle Will was undaunted by. When he became too ill to accomplish his athletic and academic goals, he turned all of his passion and hard work towards music. Music became a voice for his soul that he was able to share with many wonderful people.
Will had a generous heart and was always an advocate for the underdog. He took it upon himself so often, to wrap his very long wings around those he felt needed a friend.
Will fought this disease with the same amazing courage that he had when facing any obstacle. Will could never accept less than 100% from himself. Sadly, a tragic loss of life is not uncommon with this disease.
We would like to express all of our heartfelt gratitude to all of Will’s friends; teachers and parents that stood by Will and supported him while he was dealing with his devastating illness.
We ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Will’s name to Dr. Andreas Kogelnik at www.openmedicinefoundation.org (650) 691-8633. Or to Dr. Jose Montoya at Stanford University. Their research and treatment are helping to save the lives of children and adults around the world who suffer from this disease. To understand this disease copy and paste the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riybtt6SChU. http://chronicfatigue.stanford.edu/
A private service followed by a gathering of close friends and family will be held at the home of our dear family friends. A public paddle-out will take place this Saturday, May 26, 7:30 a.m. at Thalia Street beach.
Will is survived by his sister Amelia, his mother Erin, his father Don, his older brother Justin, his grandmother Mary and a large extended family, which includes his childhood friends.
