I remember the first time I met Will, he was with Jill at movies in the park. They got there a little late because Jill had to work so they rushed over to sit down and not disturb anyone, so I only saw Will from the back; tall, long hair. When the movie was over, they turned around to talk to everyone and I remember seeing Will's angelic face. Big beautiful eyes. Shy and childlike smile. He was so sweet and kind, and just had such warm and comforting energy.

 He would join Jill and I for lunch from time to time and was always so polite and adorable. Whenever he smiled, I couldn't help but smile too. And it was always so cute to see them walking side by side, especially as he grew taller and taller each year.

Although we had met many times, I knew Will mostly through the eyes of Jill. How she spoke of him. How proud she was of him. The photos she would share after her moved away.  And how he was growing up to be such a wonderful young man.

My deepest sympathy to Jill, Cole, Tess and all of Will's family and friends. 🙏

Bonnie

  I first met your son about 4 years ago when I first got to the squadron. For the first several months we didn’t talk, other than maybe an introduction. Eventually we went on a trip together and I told him there was no way I could be stuck on an air plane traveling and not talk.

It took a little bit of talking with him giving short answers back before I finally got him to come out of his shell. After that it was like meeting a whole new person. We would talk regularly, and he was always the first one there to help if I needed anything. Since leaving the Air Force last year I didn’t keep up with him, and I will always regret that.

I saw the post on the squadron page with your info and I started writing this email. It has taken me several attempts to write. I’m not normally a very emotional person so not being able to get through writing a letter surprised me. I guess I had not realized that the relatively short time I had spent with him had made such a large impact on me. I say all this not to make this letter about myself, but to express to you that I can not begin to imagine the magnitude of the loss you must feel.

My deepest sympathies,

Austin Fortner

This is Captain Seth Bracken, and I am in the 61st Airlift Squadron with Will. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for your family, for you, for Will. I remember all the way back to when he first got to the squadron, and seeing this giant of an individual walk through the front doors to the Hornets. I deployed with him in 2019, flew with him several times out in Afghanistan and have been with him in this unit the entire time. We flew together on a handful of occasions outside of deployments as well to include a few off-stations. He was a great loadmaster, quiet, meek, gentle, and reliable.

One of the things that I loved about Will was how competitive he was about video games. That was the one time I saw any frustration from him at all, and it wasn’t from him losing (if he ever did, which was basically never) but from having to be on my team and how badly I dragged him down! Between missions on off days squadron members would hang out doing this and that, but 9 times out of ten I could tell you right where will was: crushing people virtually playing Super Smash Brothers. Mind you, I’m no gamer, but I enjoyed playing a game or two out there to unwind and relax, but I’m also competitive and don’t like losing. I never stood a chance. It was very humbling. Will would smoke me time and time again. We had a Smash Brothers tournament up there in the second of our building near the end of the deployment and naturally Will did quite well. I ended up playing him first thing, and I might as well have not showed up to play. Will had a slight smirk on his face, but he didn’t talk much trash, but the look on his face told you he thoroughly enjoyed crushing your soul. I don’t remember who won the tournament overall, not sure if it was Will or someone else, but it was a great time.

This weekend has been tough, a portion of hell for you I am sure. We are with you.

I loved Will, our big ole “Baby Kern,” and will miss him.

My name is Captain Wesley Russell and I am a pilot in the 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base. When I worked in the scheduling office at the 61st, William would be in and out of our office frequently. He would speak with Staff (now Technical) Sergeant Anthony Powell. Sergeant Powell is a very loved and respected member of the 61st Airlift Squadron. If he teased you, if he had a nickname for you, or if he shouted your name, it meant that you were someone he cared for. When Sergeant Powell sees me, he always shouts “Russ!”. He always did the same for William.

That will be my lasting memory of William. Seeing him walk into our office, and hearing Sergeant Powell shout his name, not only with excitement, but with love, as if he were a blood relative at a family reunion. Their voices are engraved in my mind, and I when I think of William, he’s standing in the scheduling office, ready to fly his mission, and sharing words with Sergeant Powell.

I am so sorry for your loss. If there is anything that I, or the 61st can provide you with during this difficult time, please reach out to me, to any member of of the 61st Airlift Squadron, or to any member Little Rock Air Force Base.

Yours truly,

Wesley “Russ” Russell

I was shocked to hear of the death of Will and wanted to express my deepest condolences to you and your family at this time.  Will was more than just a wonderful person, he was always so kind and considerate to all of us that we always welcomed seeing him at every opportunity.  I have two favorite memories I would like to share with you. 

Will and I were assigned to install giant wooden letters in the entrance way of our squadron.  These letters spelt out "COMBAT AIRLIFT" (see attached photo).  Him and I were working together to make sure each letter had enough double-sided 3M tape to hold, and calculated the perfect spacing and alignment on the wall.   After all the letters were secured and beautifully displayed, before we would congratulate ourselves for doing such a great job, one by one the letters fell off the wall.  It became a bit of a hilarious situation because we didn't have enough arms to catch the letters as they slid down or just fell off.  We laughed so hard and knew we would not win the battle of the letters.  He later came up with a plan B and I haven't seen a single letter fall off the wall since then.   

 While I was working behind the duty desk, Will came by and we got to talking about baking. That was the first time that I learned that he loved to bake.  Although not a baker myself, I had mentioned that I only purchase my very favorite baked good at Disney's Epcot park at the French bakery.  I just love French macarons.  Well, two days later, he came in with a tupperware full of raspberry buttercream macarons.  He said it was his first time making them and I was so impressed.  All of us at the desk that day got to partake in eating these delicious treats which were nearly identical to the french bakery.  Will loved to see everyone's reaction as they enjoyed his creations and I know that brought him so much joy.  I will never forget his squinty eyed, perfectly straight teeth, cheesy smile.             

I can only pray to God to give you and your family the strength and courage to cope with his loss. 

Yours sincerely,

Jennifer Felts, SSgt

Big Kern

Miss Kern,

Hello, my name is Jeramiah Yurick. I'm so sorry to write you under these

circumstances. As a father I cannot imagine the sadness you are experiencing

right now.

I had the privilege of serving with your son for almost 5 years. He came to

the Hornets as a brand new A1C, and I took him on his first deployment in

2019. I remember he was nervous (as we all are), but also excited to prove

himself. He performed exceptionally well as a junior loadmaster, and

overcame a lot...that deployment was pretty rough on all of us. We called

him "Big Kern", and I will never forget the huge smile that would spread

across his face when we would see him and say "what's up big Kern!?".

He was quiet, but confident. He was incredibly smart, and worked so hard to

become a good Loadmaster. He never complained, but he did come and talk to

me quite often on the deployment, and before I left the Squadron last year.

I want to say that I helped him as best I could, but it's hard to feel that

way now. Parents such as yourself send us your children with an expectation

that we will take care of them, and I know as a unit we all feel that we let

you and your family down.

I don't know how to express how sorry I am, or how much we all truly loved

Big Kern. I want to say something amazing, but I'm at a loss to find the

words.

I wish Will knew how many people he had in his court.

Myself and some of the other Loadmasters who spent a lot

of time with Will are looking into having a memorial downtown. I'm sure you

have much bigger things to think about, but if you and your family would

like to be involved, let me know so we can plan around your schedule.

Thank you for sharing your son with us. He made the Hornets a better

squadron, and I'm sure those who experienced him outside of the military

would say the same.

 With my deepest condolences and respect,

Jeramiah

JERAMIAH "JERM" YURICK, CMSgt, USAF

314 OG/SEL