William K Olson

William Kolb Olson, 25, a disciple of Christ, entered heaven sooner than he was able to accomplish his earthly goals but with the blessed assurance that his new life in Christ would be free of suffering and challenges. Before his 11-year battle to defeat brain cancer, William’s quick intellect was enriched through academics at Mt. Bethel Elementary, Dodgen Middle, Walton High School, and Auburn University and his passion for sports was centered on sports, especially playing baseball. Life with his teammates and coaches at Fuller’s Park and with East Cobb Baseball Travel teams nurtured his athletic talents, taught him how to conquer his goals, and gave him the foundation and fortitude to later seek his dreams while undergoing treatment for his relentless disease and its side effects. “The Professor,” as he was called by one of his coaches, graduated with a chemical engineering degree from Auburn University in May 2011 while undergoing treatment for his second relapse. In his short life, he was also a stand- up comedian, an investor, Braves and Auburn sports fan, a proponent for sustainability, as scholar, a Polysius intern, a 4th generation engineer, a transplant survivor, a warrior for childhood cancer funding, a courageous, loving and gentle soul who loved being with family more than anything else, a devoted and grateful brother, and a model son who taught us all how to live life without any excuses.

At William’s first relapse, friends began a thrice weekly prayer circle gathering in our driveway to pray for William’s healing. From this group, the Rally Foundation was created, which in its 6 years has awarded $3 million to fund childhood cancer research across the country. William loved Rally and would do anything to inspire someone to volunteer or donate in order to help Rally accomplish its mission to find better treatments with fewer long-term side effects, and ultimately a cure. He sought to know God’s plan for his life, and although being a cancer warrior was not William’s plan for his life, he was comforted knowing that his short life made a difference in the battle to end childhood cancer side effects and deaths. He asks that in lieu of flowers, that you will read the Rally story and be inspired to donate to this foundation that donates 93 cents of every dollar to childhood cancer research by going to www.rallyfoundation.org or mailing donations in memory of William to 5775 Glenridge Drive, Building B, Suite 370, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

We are grateful to the many friends near and far for their prayers, love, and encouragement. Our lives were blessed from the friendships and special fun-filled opportunities through the Rally Foundation, Lighthouse Family Retreat, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Camp Sunshine, Brain Tumor Foundation for Children, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Tim Hudson Foundation, CaringBridge.org, and gifts from so many of you. We will be forever grateful for the expertise, dedication, love, and support that William and our family received from his years of care at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and more recently Piedmont Hospital.

Visitation will be Friday, May 4th from 4-7 pm in the Magnolia Room at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church 955 Johnson Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30068

Services will be Saturday, May 5th at 2 pm in the Sanctuary at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church with a reception to follow. We welcome people to wear clothing showing their association with William, such as a shirt from Camp Sunshine, Rally Foundation, or school; or hospital attire or bright colors…..we are celebrating William’s life with us.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/prayforwilliam

On line condolences may be placed at www.hmpattersoncantonhill.com.

H.M. Patterson & Son, Canton Hill Chapel is honored to serve the family of Mr. William K. Olson