Will passed away the morning of January 17th at his home in Helena, Montana. He was 71 years old.
Will was born in Miami, FL on December 16, 1947. His family moved all over the South while he was growing up. He attended high school in Gainesville, FL and completed his Bachelor’s degree at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri in 1969. Will earned his Masters of Science degree at the University of Montana in 1977.
Will moved to Montana in 1970 where he found his home; he never left. Here he developed his love for the outdoors, for wilderness and adventure that fed his soul the rest of his life. Once Will moved to Montana he dove headlong into any and all activities. Will loved to explore. To him, trails were optional. One of his great joys was poking around places off the beaten path. You wouldn’t expect a Florida kid with a defective heart valve to end up in Montana with an insatiable desire to explore its mountains (and eventually the stark canyons of southern Utah). But in life, as well as in the wilds, Will forged his own path.
It was in Helena, Montana that Will met the love of his life, Kendra Johnson. They were married on July 11, 1981 in Highwood, MT. Will and Kendra adventured for 3 years before their daughter Lindsay was born in 1984 followed by their second daughter, Kaitlyn, in 1987. The girls and later his grandchildren were the greatest joys in his life.
Will lived a life of public service spending his 30 year career with Lewis and Clark County. In his professional life he was dedicated to protecting and preserving our planet and the people that call it home. Will retired early at 58 and never looked back. It was in retirement that Will found his O.R.G. (Old Retired Guys) group of “geezers” in Helena, they brought him much joy and camaraderie over coffee, bikes and beer.
A true renaissance man, Will loved reading and words in general; you would always find him with a book, stopping regularly to jot down quotes that caught his eye. He loved music, excellent Scotch, craft beer and wine. Will was a complex man with many passions – it wasn’t enough to excel as a cyclist, he built his own bikes, he made his own and his kids’ and friends’ golf clubs and he built his own gun. He ran mountain ultramarathons. Even after his first open heart surgery there was always a 50K race on the horizon. Will loved to climb, hike, backpack, backcountry ski, winter camp and mountaineer, including two summits of Mt. Rainier. He was passionate about martial arts and LOVED going to Griz football games – “First Down, MONTANA!” It was never enough to simply do something, if Will did it, he had to do it well.
Will maxed out every possible beat of his heart.
Will was preceded in death by his parents Will and Myrtis Selser and his in-laws Ken and Rosie Johnson.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years Kendra and his daughters Lindsay (Kyle Jackson) of Eugene, OR and Kaitlyn (Aaron Eisner) of Chicago, IL and his two beloved grandchildren Willa (4.5 – named after her Grandpa Will) and Boone (2.5) Jackson. His twin brother Bob (Arlene) and sister Sandy (Dennis) Hatfield, brothers in-law Terry (Deb) Johnson and Brian (Laurie) Johnson and numerous nieces and nephews. And his best friend and adventure partner of over 30 years, John Bleicher.
Will wasn’t an extroverted “people person.” He was happiest spending time with his family, with a few close friends or alone. If you were in his small circle of true friends, you knew you had a friend for life.
To honor Will’s love of mountains and the peace they brought him, the family suggests memorials to the Montana Wilderness Association at 80 S. Warren St., Helena, MT 59601 or online at wildmontana.org.
Will’s ashes will be returned to the Beartooth Wilderness this summer, the site of his and Kendra’s honeymoon. This magical place was also the site for countless adventures in all seasons. The family will host a gathering to celebrate Will’s life on Saturday, February 2nd at the Lewis and Clark Brewery, 1517 Dodge Ave, Helena, MT 59601. Please stop by anytime between Noon to 3 P.M. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Will.
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday February 2, 2019
Lewis and Clark Brewery
1517 Dodge Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Saturday February 2, 2019
Lewis and Clark Brewery
1517 Dodge Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
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Len & Concetta Eckel says
So very sorry to hear of Will’s passing. We remember him fondly and express our condolences to his family.
G Scott Lockwood says
I am so sorry to hear of Will’s passing. I remember him fondly when I was Admin for L&C County and he worked at the health dept. His wit and insight was very helpful to me.
Lawrence (Larry) Waters says
Kendra and family, so sorry to hear this. Of the many, many bosses I had over 40 years of professional work, Will was the best, and a good friend.
Sherrel R Rhys says
My deepest condolences. Will was one of a kind. A good friend. He was always learning, analyzing, thinking, and challenging what others thought. He was professional, and did what he promised. He loved his wife and family. He will be greatly missed.
Robert E Church says
My condolences to Will’s family. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Will when he managed the Landfill. We had many good laughs about our business and the people in it. Will was very passionate about life and its adventures. We shared a commonality about the mountains in Montana and in particular our adventures in the Beartooths. Will was a great guy and I will miss him a great deal.
Mark E Nelson says
One of the first people I remember meeting in my Solid Waste career was Will, when we met to talk about the 2001 Legislative Session. Will was an excellent mentor and gave me lots of good advice over the years. I’ll miss him.
Mary Runkel says
Kendra and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Will was an amazing person ! He always had a smile for everyone and every situation.
My thoughts and prayers are with you now!
Julie Smith says
Will sounds like he was my kind of human! I am sorry for your loss Lindsay! I will be trekking in Montana this summer…I will be thinking of Will and you during my adventure. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Keep adventuring and squeeze the juice out of life!! Julie Smith (friend of Lindsay).
Tessa Clement says
Kendra, Lindsay, Kaitlyn and family-
I am deeply sorry for your loss. May Will Rest In Peace – and continue his adventures in Heaven. ❤️🙏🏼 You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Barb Butler says
Kendra, Lindsay and Kaitlyn – Words cannot express my sorrow for your loss. I knew Will for 20+ years through our ties with the Solid Waste community and our successful legislative session in 2001. Will used to pick me up at the airport when I would fly to Helena ifor meetings. It was the best part of the day. He was one of the most insightful, funny and clever persons I’ve ever known. I will miss him terribly. First Kurt Corey, and now Will. The two men I admired most. My thoughts are with you all.
Carol & Steve Athearn says
Kendra, Lindsay, Kaitlyn and family – We were so sad to hear of Will’s passing. Our condolences to you all, remember the happy times.
Carol & Steve Athearn and family
Larry Petty says
Kendra & Family: So sorry of Wills passing. My thought & prayers are with you. I really enjoyed some of the bike rides but usually was always trailing behind unless Will would stop for me to catch up. Also enjoyed having some micros at the black foot or Lewis and Clark. He will be missed by many.
Jill Sundby Van Alstyne says
I’m so sad to read this. I was a young newspaper reporter for the Independent Record when I met Will in 1986. I was new to Montana. I learned so much from interviewing Will. I remember when he had me look out at the Helena Valley at night one time, and he told me that there would be more and more lights out there, as we would continue to lose open space. He was one of several Montanans who gently opened my eyes to our impact on nature and what we can do to save it. I will be thinking of you, Kendra, Lindsay, and Kaitlyn.
–Jill Sundby Van Alstyne
Donna Erwin says
Heartfelt sympathy to Kendra and girls. Will’s legacy to the world is his wonderful family. He will live on through his family and his passions.
Peg Hunter says
Kendra, my deepest condolences to you and the girls. Know that you are surrounded by many friends near and far. Be gentle with yourself.
Loretta Carter says
Kendra,
I am so sorry to learn of Will’s passing. I wish you and your girls peace and condolences.
Know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Loretta Carter
Carol Hanel says
Kendra and family ~ I am truly sorry to hear of Will’s passing. He was such a great guy…..always so nice to everyone. I enjoyed working with and getting to know him. He had the greatest smile! He will be missed.
You are all in my prayers.
D Scott Brown says
Dear Kendra, Lindsay and Kaitlyn: I learned of Will’s death not until this morning, February 10. My most sincere sympathy to you, as well as others who loved or admired Will. I admired Will, and I will remember him as one whose advice and counsel were exceptionally well reasoned and trustworthy. We collaborated early and often in matters involving the health and well-being of children and families in East Helena, throughout a difficult and controversial cleanup of the community and smelter. We labored over an appropriate balance of protecting chilren’s health, while also protecting their parents’ need for a home and income. Will’s many contributions to finding effective solutions proved to be invaluable and lasting. And, his wry sense of humor was unmatchable! …a colleague of the very best kind. Sincerely, D Scott Brown, Helena.
Clark Myers says
Kendra:
I know it has been many years, but Will was a friend, mentor and a really great man of honor. My heart goes out to you and your family at this time of loss. There is no question that Will left his mark on the Helena community and on many of us who knew him worked with him and, well, hit the high country with him once in a while.
All my best at this time in your life,
Clark