William “Will” Ashcraft

 

William “Will” Ashcraft
William “Will” Ashcraft

William “Will” Ashcraft, 47, of Amarillo passed away peacefully after a brief illness Thursday, December 16, 2021, in Amarillo, Texas.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 14, 2022, at Polk Street United Methodist Church with Reverend Kevin Deckard officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home of Amarillo.

Will was born August 21, 1974, in Amarillo, Texas to Robert Ashcraft and Trina Ashcraft (Henderson).  Will graduated from Amarillo High School in 1993.  He received his Associate’s Degree from Amarillo College and graduated with his Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from West Texas A&M University.

Will’s kindness and servant’s heart were evident in every facet of his life.  As a child, he enjoyed being a member of the Boy Scouts, and he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1993.  Will became a member of the Amarillo Astronomy Club in 1991, a special link and lifetime interest he shared with his father Robert and brother John. At the time of his passing, Will was proudly serving in his fourth year as Amarillo Astronomy Club president.

Will began his successful career at Amarillo National Bank (ANB) in 1998 and was employed at ANB until the time of his death. ANB’s family-oriented environment and community outreach opportunities provided an ideal fit for Will’s life, both personally and professionally. While at ANB, he acquired many treasured friends who were a huge part of his life and brought him happiness every day. Will was an Assistant Vice President, a devoted member of the ANB Cooker Team, and was also an ANB representative in the “Over the Edge” event for several years.

In addition to his career at ANB, Will also served as the sound board technician at Polk Street United Methodist Church (PSUMC) for more than 20 years.  He met Jennifer Arp, the love of his life, at PSUMC and the two were married there on June 23, 2007.  Their life together was filled with love, laughter, comfort, peace, and Eddie (the world’s best dachshund). Will and Jennifer spent many wonderful days in Red River, New Mexico, their favorite vacation destination.  Will loved the mountains, hiking, visiting with Red River friends, and relaxing on the cabin porch serenaded by the sound of the crows. Some of his fondest memories were of the vacations he and Jennifer spent in Red River.

Will was a kind and gentle soul who rarely met a stranger.  He was a loving and devoted husband.  Everyday friendships and conversations were where Will shone bright, and always with a smile on his face.  Will was a fierce friend.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents William and June Ashcraft; his uncle Richard Ashcraft; and his maternal grandparents Max Frost and Peggy Frost (Ormson).

Will is survived by Jennifer, his wife of 14 years; father Robert Ashcraft, mother Trina Henderson, brother John Ashcraft, and niece Lennon Gossett, all of Amarillo.  Also carrying on Will’s memory are countless loving friends and family members including his mother-in-law Kay Arp and father-in-law Mike Arp of Amarillo.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Will’s name to either the Polk Street United Methodist Church Television Ministry, 1401 South Polk, Amarillo, TX 79101; or to DAWGS N’ Texas, P.O. Box 911, Dalhart, TX 79022; or a charity of your choice.

12 Replies to “William “Will” Ashcraft”

  1. Jennifer, I am so saddened that you have lost your dear husband. Please know I love and appreciate you and look forward to giving you a warm hug when we are able to get to gether again.

  2. We are so sorry to hear of Will’s passing. You and Eddie are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Janie and Rick Thamer
    Boise, ID

  3. We are friends of the Arp family and loved the times spent in laughing visiting and eating with them in Red River. Will always fit right in and we extend our condolences to the entire family

  4. Will was a member of my fleet (group of likeminded players) in Star Trek online.

    I’ve spend hours, days, probably even months in this game with him during the past 10+ years and I don’t remember him every having a a bad day.

    Even outside of the game, he has been a person I have always felt I could talk to and he helped me on a personal level on more than one occasion.

    He has had a profound impact on everyone and his good mood and attitude has benefitted us and me on a personal level.
    We will miss him.

    His passing is a great loss for everyone.

    From me here Denmark: I will miss you my friend.

  5. I first knew Will when he was in the Health Club at Amarillo National Bank. My husband Jerry and I always liked Will and we were so proud of him when he graduated from college. So sad that he is gone too soon.

  6. I’ll miss Will terribly…he always loved to clap for my music that I played at Polk Street UMC. Always smiling, and willing to help out any way he could. His was a rich and well-lived life.

  7. Will was my Cousin,
    Growing up we would all gather for the holidays at out Great Grandparents house, so we all knew it was time to hang out with the cousins.
    The days of playing games in the closet, outside racing each other, going for walks just to talk and get away.
    There were 4 of us and the memories we made throughout the years will never stop making me laugh.
    We watched each other get married, have children and fur babies, and push for our goals in life.
    Many don’t know that when we were younger we called him Billy! We were 2 years apart and could talk about anything.
    I will miss our talks and messages about the stars and what to be looking for with the telescope. Our last conversation was about the asteroid and when to see it.
    I’ll miss you Cousin!

  8. Bill was in scouts with me for several years, he earned his Eagle in troop 64, amarillo, texas. I was his weebelow and troop scout master for those years. He was one of the smartest boys I ever knew. Took him and brother john to Colorado for summer camp, and they also stayed at our cabin in Eagle nest, New Mexico. He provided me with some great memories. RIP my friend

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