Will Hermann McLawhorn

Will Hermann McLawhorn, 27, lived his life with compassion, humility, thoughtful determination, and incredible strength and courage. He was unfailingly funny, cheerful, grateful and full of life. Will was born on June 7, 1998, and died unexpectedly on October 23rd, 2025. A music lover and writer, Will lived his short life with a quick wit and was without judgement or ego. Born June 7, in Chicago, Illinois, Will was a brother of Pierce, Harry and Charlie. His childhood in Field Park, Western Springs was full of exploration and cherished adventures with his brothers and their late father Todd and bulldogs Norm and Lola. Will loved life even when it wasn't easy, and was always determined to make tomorrow a better day.

As he grew up, Will nurtured a lifelong passion for games and learning, with countless joyful hours spent running between houses in the neighborhood playing video games and sports with brothers and friends. Will attended Lyons Township High school where he was on the swim and tennis teams, before attending the University of Alabama where he studied nutrition and literature. Deeply curious and always looking for his next adventure, he continued his studies at the University of Illinois before eventually moving to Redlands, California where he formed a close-knit community of friends.

Will is described by friends as being the kind of person that you never had to be anyone but yourself around. He could make you feel as though you've been friends for years within minutes of meeting him, and yet once you got to know him there were still endless things to learn. Never one to shy away from going on in-depth rants about his passions, it could only make you smile as he schooled you on his current obsession. He could talk about Pokémon, or music, or lifting, or the people in his life for hours and you could only marvel at the appreciation he had for everything and everyone he cared about.

And so Will leaves behind this Earth, having left that impression of joy on anyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Will was preceded in death by his father Todd in 2019, and leaves behind his mother Beth McLawhorn and brothers Pierce, Harry and Charlie; his grandmother Carol B. Jackson; his aunts and uncles, Pat and Julie Kelly, Eric and Liz Boeckmann, Connie Malone; his cousins Max and Hannah Boeckmann, Jeff and Emily Kelly, Kate and Kris Williams.

Will, you were taken too soon, but the warmth of your compassion still lights our days. You cared with a strength that steadied everyone around you, laughed with a joy that made the room brighter and stood by others with a steady heart of someone truly dependable. Irreplaceable in every way, you left kindness in your wake and memories we will carry forever. You will never be forgotten.

A service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs at 4pm on Thursday, November 6th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Field Park PTO for the community garden in Will's memory.

Zelle: fieldparkptotreasurer@gmail.com
Memo: McLawhorn Memorial

Checks may be mailed to:
Field Park Elementary School
c/o Field Park PTO
Memo: McLawhorn Memorial
4335 Howard Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Will Hermann McLawhorn, please visit our flower store.