Thomas Will

Thomas “Tom” K. Will, 56, surrounded by his loving family, went to be with his Lord on Friday July 18, 2008, after a year-long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 22, at 10:30 AM at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Bismarck with Pastor Lester Wolfgram officiating. Burial will follow in the afternoon, at Beaver Lake Cemetery in Wishek. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 – 9:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service in Bismarck where a prayer and remembrance time will be held on Monday evening at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Tom, the son of Edmore and Mildred Will, was born on August 20, 1951, in Burnstad and grew up on the family farm south of Burnstad. He much loved and emulated his father and grandfather, George Hellmuth a blacksmith, in his ability to design, build or repair anything. He attended grade school in Burnstad, high school in Wishek, and college at UND and Valley City. It was while in high school that he met his wife, Bev Califf, and they spent the next thirty-four years together until her death in 2004. Tom spent much of his working life as a boilermaker, working and superintending many different jobs at locations throughout North Dakota and the U.S. He was a member of Boilermakers Local 647. He was the regional representative for Moorhead Machinery and Boiler Company and prior to that, the apprenticeship coordinator for the Boilermakers. He loved everything about the outdoors, hunting, fishing and horseback riding. He enjoyed bowling, stock car racing and working on special projects, but his greatest joy came from time spent with family, his friends and his extended church family. Tom leaves his children: Richard Will and grandson, Richie; Kristine Jamie Vollmer; Melissa Rick Vranicar and granddaughter, Kristen; and Lisa Bob Schobinger; his loving sister, Georgeann Christ Gerr; his best friend and brother, Ken Karen Will; and his special friend Debbie Miller. He is preceded in death by his wife Bev, his parents, and grandparents. Tom will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. The family prefers memorials be given to Martin Luther School.

Thomas Will

August 20, 1951 - July 18, 2008