This was the first time I spoke to Will in person, I still remember asking him to dance and him hesitating, but my family convinced him, he was so sweet and always smiling. Definitely a good dancer!

This was the first time I went to Will’s house and met his family, everyone was so sweet and friendly, Will instantly made me feel at home and introduced me to anime, we built clay figures and ate cinnamon rolls with biscoff, definitely a special memory.

12/28/2026. I invited Will to my uncles wedding. When the people there met him they instantly loved his personality, always overcoming language barriers. He definitely lit up the room.

My first and last Christmas with Will. 😕 I’ll always cherish and carry all the memories.

When I think of Will I see an adorable, sweet child with an infectious smile who grew into an incredible young man. I also think of Will when I see green turtles like Bowzer… I hope I remembered the right.. love you cuz

As I began to write this, my brain just shut down and all I could do was pray...  Indra, Michael, Jill, and Lily... our hearts just break for you guys and your family. 
Will was such a great, respectful, and sweet kid. I'm so glad that in the past 4 years of us being neighbors, we had the privilege of getting to know Will. I remember when Brayden would pick Will up for school every morning and they grew to be friends so quickly, as Blake did with the girls. 
All of you are in our prayers, and we're here for anything you need.  
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18)

I am so sorry for the loss of a son, brother and grandson. I didn’t know Will for very long but he was always smiling and kind. Sending prayers to all of you. 
Sandra Schulz

Will was a really kind kid he always made sure every body was happy and it is so sad how fast he went but at least he when to a better place now we love you will R.I.P.

I am so sorry and heartbroken to hear about Will. He was the nicest kid and was a ray of sunshine.  I remember him sitting in my class like it was yesterday. I know he impacted the lives of people for the positive - including me- and I will always remember him and cherish the time I spent with him.

Will was a friend of mine that I meet through mutual friends if I had one word to describe him with it would be ambitious he always pushed others around him to change there life’s and as a “troubled” teen that meant so much to me that someone else my age wanted me to change my ways to become a better person will had a beautiful soul. 

I have this one memory that just replays in my head it was around winter of last year I went with will to get his chest tattoo touched up and as I sat there he send me a text “that was a spicy meatball” I looked up with confusion and he tells me that whenever the tattoo hurts instead of saying it hurts he uses that expression that was one of the funniest things I had heard in a while after his tattoo was finished we went out to grab a bite I remember we got cool wraps from chick fil a and the benson boon moon beam crumble cookie we sat in the parking lot to eat and he tried to get me to start going to Christian churches (I am catholic) I gave it a try and I enjoyed it I really appreciate that he pushed his friends to go to church.

I can’t imagine what his family is going through right now and my heart goes out to all of you rest in peace will

I had the honor and privilege of knowing Will. I got to be one of his leaders in Cultivate Kids. When he was young, he was quiet until he felt comfortable (at least in the 6-12 class). When he was comfortable he would crack jokes, be playful, he was full of life. As he got older he matured into one of the coolest most original human beings. This past Christmas, Lilly was telling me about the shopping spree Will had given her. Will loved his family so much. He was generous, kind, hard working, and so much more.  Heaven gained one super cool kid. 
Indra, Michael, Jill, Lilly- You are loved, prayed for, and your church family is here for you! You raised an incredible young man who we all adore!

Will and Levi working at Warehouse 31 in the clown room

To the Clowdus family, 

We are so very sorry for your terrible loss. We know words cannot ease your pain, but please know that we hurt with you. You are in our prayers.
Love, 
The Keyes Family

Will seemed like a  quiet young man  but he was much more than quiet he had such a funny personality that he got from his beautiful mother. Will is going to be my barista forever. Everytime I went to the cafe I specifically asked for Will's way. He had a special talent to just make it just the way I needed it. He had a smile that would lift your spirits. God I know you needed him more than we did but We are truly missing him here. We love you Clowdus family and are here for whatever you need. 

-Wendy Mitchell

He was so genuine, he supported me in everything i did. He made sure in my toughest times that i was okay. Im so glad i got to see him grow into such an amazing person.

I had the honor of teaching Will math the 2024-2025 school year. Will was one of the sweetest kids ever. I was always incredibly proud of him and could tell how hard he was working. He was highly intelligent. Will never let any setbacks stop him. He was inspirational.  
To Will's family, I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my heart and in my prayers.

Of all the kids we’ve watched grow up, Will Clowdus probably made me the most nervous, ha. I think it had something to do with him having the best hair a guy could have mixed with an effortlessly cool vibe. We’ve watched him grow up for almost 10 years, and man, I was so excited to see what he would do because he truly would have been unstoppable.

I still remember him selling gum at school as his side hustle, and even then I thought, “He’s going to be alright.” We also watched him fight for his footing and his faith. We saw the forced smiles, but we also got to witness the smile that was fully and authentically him. We saw real life change in Will… you couldn’t miss it!

For all the stories he probably never shared himself, I’m so proud hearing the countless stories now. Stories of him inviting friends to church over and over because he believed in what God could do. Stories of him noticing kids in the lobby and making them feel seen. Stories of him showing up for his friends in the ways that mattered most. Two sisters who wanted to spend time with their Bubba….two parents so so proud of their boy. 

We love you Clowdus family, thank you for staying rooted and allowing so many of us the gift of watching Will grow up but more so getting to watch Will grow in his very own faith. We will continue  with Will’s fight to make sure everyone knows that God really is who He says He is.

So very sorry for the family and communities loss! Such a sweet young man! Continued prayers!

“Compassion”, what a beautiful character trait to be recognized in a young man. Our hearts are breaking for you all and praying for your strength as you navigate this tragedy.

To the family,

We are holding you close in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Please know that you are not walking through this season alone—so many hearts are grieving with you and standing beside you in spirit.

Your loved one’s life was a true reflection of service, kindness, and faith. The impact they made will continue to live on through every person they touched.

May God surround you with peace that goes beyond understanding, strength for each new day, and comfort in every moment when the weight feels heavy. Lean on Him, and lean on those who love you.

We are praying for your healing, your strength, and your continued hope in the days ahead.

With love and deepest sympathy,
Sanchez & the Team
God Did It Ministries

I saw Will grow as a young man over the past 8 years at church, but exponentially over the last two years especially, as he was at the high school. I saw other young men being pointed to Jesus with his model of leadership, and I saw someone who encouraged and literally saved others when they were lost. He was the raft that came along in the ocean when they were drowning and pulled them out. I caught this photo at graduation as he walked by, and I’ll always remember him with that big, happy smile on his face.

Will was my best friend. We first met at church when we were around 8 years old. Ever since then, we’ve been inseparable. He has always been there for me and just anyone who needed someone to talk to. I can’t imagine life without him in it. We told eachother everything. I’m still on my journey of processing what happened. Will would drop anything to support me and that’s all a person could really ask for. His faith was always something I looked up to and strived to grow my faith as strong as his. I loved him more than words can describe. I know he’s watching over all of us 🦋 Rest easy, i love you to the moon and back

Thinking  of and praying for you and your family during this difficult time Paula. Please let me know if there’s anything at all I can do. 

Debra (Denson) Pope

When I first met Will, I was shocked to meet someone so young and emotionally mature. He knew what it meant to truly listen to others and comprehend how they felt. He taught me the importance of never letting your emotions take hold of the rest of the light inside of you. He’s helped me in so many ways just by being there for me and others. When we went to the beach from cross country, we went crab hunting and will was on my team, I’d never seen anyone so excited to pick up a crab ( me on the other hand I was TERRIFIED) Will ran after those crabs like nobody’s business. I miss his laugh that made everyone smile even if they weren’t feeling happy or in my case scared to grab a crab. Thank you for who you raised. He’s done so much for the Thompson community. sincerely, Simone Jones

Will was a sweet person who was selfless and caring. He was always positive whenever he was around anyone. He would give you the advice and truth you didn’t want to hear while also supporting his friends. He always talked about the future and what he was going to do through God and for God he was on the journey and he was amazing. I’m so deeply sorry for the lose of Will a sweet soul who was never afraid to say what he thought or what was right to him. I’m praying for his family and friends and our community he left a mark on.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine what you all must be going through. Sending up my prayers for you and your family at this difficult time.

Kitty, Kristan,and I send our Love and Prayers during this tragic time. I have Prayed to Todd and Austin to Welcome Will to Heaven and wait for all of us to meet them again .

Will and Antonio were best friends they were two pees in a pod they both have came a long way in life at a young age to follow Gods word they both are full of life they would push one another to do better in life and tell their friends the same thing they would talk about what they wanted to do in life they both graduated early from high school which both familys are so proud of them . this is so still unbelieve able that your gone Will we love and miss you so much until we meet again LLW

The words do not exist to describe what you all are feeling, so I’m just going to tell you what I saw in your beautiful son and how he touched mine and my daughter’s life.

Will had such a huge capacity to love in the truest of forms. He treated everyone as equals, never judged and always accepted others right where they were. 

Elli told me Sunday that she wouldn’t be the person she is today if it weren’t for his influence in her life. She said he raised her standards. He showed her how she should be treated by others. He set the standard for what a good, Godly, respectful, caring loyal friend should be, never asking for anything in return. 

I saw what pride he took in helping his family and being there for his sisters to get them to school, even after a fun, late night out with friends, he selflessly was there for them. 

I saw that he loved like Jesus. He allowed God to use him to show Elli the way God sees her and loves her. When Will entered a room, he brought light and comfort with him. He touched so many lives, leaving such a positive impact on so many. He will always be a beautiful young man in our hearts. His love and warmth lives on forever through those he touched.

I remember when I was younger, I would be on the couch with Bubba, I would be in his lap and we would watch shows together. I never planned for him to die so soon. I wish I could've had 10 more minutes. I love you Will, Fly High 🕊

I’ll always remember all the times you came to my house to hang out with Antonio and to eat my tacos not only you were his best friend you were like another son to us a brother a piece of is gone but we share so many memories from church to here at the house that we will treasure forever and mijo u and Antonio have came along way to graduating early to change y’all’s life around we couldn’t be more proud of y’all we r going to miss u so much mijo until we see u again we love u so much

Will was one of my best friends; we met at church when I was 9, and he became an instant buddy I spent dozens of hours with, both inside and outside of church. I had the privilege of being there with him in the hardest times and the greatest. He was 2 years younger than me, so it was always interesting watching him grow up faster than I did. Will always yearned for life experience, and he sure did accumulate it.
I think the reason why he was so mature was due to his hunger for knowledge. He didn’t want to just take your word for things he never tried; he had to do it himself. I deeply respect him for that.
He was an incredible brother who loved his sisters more than anything and would have given everything he had for his family at any time. He inspired me to treat my sisters with selflessness and set the bar pretty dang high.
Will was gentle and made it clear that you could love flowers and butterflies while also being a real man. That gentle toughness I witnessed from him taught me a key point of true masculinity and shaped the man I am today.
Will was driven, wise, and selfless. Those traits embodied who he was, and they should embody us all.

There is peace because It’s a fact that Will loved Jesus.

I love you man.

Will, God has new bloom in His flower garden.  His tender love and care will nurture you.  Please know my entire family will continue to love you and cherish each memory of our happy family gatherings.  It is hard to say goodbye but we know God has you in the palms of his hands.

Aunt Peggy

I only knew Will for a short time. He had a beautiful soul that was selfless, compassionate, humorous and hardworking. He had a servants heart, loved the Lord and had a friendly demeanor that made anyone feel welcome to have a laugh with him. He is deeply loved and missed by all of us at The Copper Train. It was a pleasure to train and work with you, Will. You were one in a million.

Indra I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I will be praying for you and your family in the days weeks and months to come!

Lisa Moody
Nuclear Med @
Shelby Baptist

I had the honor of having Will as a student two years ago. I came to know him as respectful, kind and always a bright spirit in our school. He was a friend to all! I had so many interesting conversations with him about life, the world and his future. After he left our school, he'd still come by and visit, just to let me know he was doing well. He had grown so much and we were all so proud of him. In many ways, Will was an old soul. He cared deeply about his friends and family. We will miss the joy he brought to this world, but heaven gained a sweet young man.

Will was an amazing young man with an infectious smile- easy going, sensitive, intelligent- a good friend to his peers.   These pictures are from his 7th grade yr- 12/13 yrs old on a field trip to Dauphin Island when I was his science teacher.
I considered myself lucky to have known him and the world is going to miss out on such a beautiful soul.

Will was one of the closest friends I ever had. He never judged me, he supported me in any way he could. Through the hard times we met each other in, through our highest moments. I still cant believe there’s no more horses to beat or hikes to take or food to eat together. He will live on in all the lives he touched. I know I wouldn’t be me without him.

Will was one of the hardest workers I ever managed at Dairy Queen. When I started attending Cultivate Church two months ago, I was blessed to reconnect with him and watch him walk in faith. Every Sunday, he would greet me with a good morning from the cafe. Just last week, I watched him stand on the pulpit getting prayed over as a graduate. He looked out, saw me, and gave me a wave and a smile. He fought the good fight and finished his race well. My deepest condolences to his family. Rest easy, Will. I will see you again.

I never thought i would have to say i lost my best friend but this world works in mysterious ways please join me in prayer for his family i love you guys.

OBITUARY

William "Will" James Clowdus

August 19, 2009 – May 24, 2026

Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery

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