[shaar]

Oh wow, this is unreal. I initially read this on your Facebook post Tank, and almost responded, but wanted to come here to do it instead.

 

I’ve had a lot of shit go down in my life recently and have been very wayward on the forums, but no matter what Willy would always eventually reach out to me in a direct message, to let me know he was thinking of me and that even if I couldn’t come back just yet, that the Rebellion would always be here. He was kind and thoughtful and steadfast and jeez this HURTS.  He always brought a little bit of light to me whenever I needed it, and I hope I can honor his memory by doing the same someday.

[DJtrippyT]

Hi, I just dropped back in to pay respect to Willes. I am still grappling with this news but If there's anything we can do for his family please let me know. I just can't believe it. 

[deftona]

It's such unbelievably sad news. 

 

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr_Willes in person but I did have the pleasure of a number of very drunken virtual pub meet ups, and sharing with him the most entertaining group chat I have ever been part of.  Losing someone who played such a huge part in your life in this way is such a modern phenomenon and I don't even know how to start to grieve for someone I have never met, but I talked to every single day.  Willy was such a kind, funny, thoughtful and generous man and my thoughts are with his wife and children. 

[DarK_RaideR]

15 minutes ago, deftona said:

Losing someone who played such a huge part in your life in this way is such a modern phenomenon and I don't even know how to start to grieve for someone I have never met, but I talked to every single day.

This really nails it. Thanks for putting it to words. These are real relationships, even with people we haven't met in person, and this is a real loss that causes real grief.

 

I've been thinking about Willy and the more I think about it, I'm pretty close to what @shaar said. Most of us knew Willy for his gifs and inappropriate humor, but I can remember more than one D&d sessions where I went on camera after a shitty morning or something that was bugging me but I was trying to keep it out and have fun while not ruining the fun of others. Later on when I'd apologize for being a bit off and said something had happened, he'd always say he'd noticed but didn't wanna push me at the time, but wished me well and was available if I wanted to talk it through with him. He understood and he cared, but was also discreet about it. Yeah the humor was a big part of his identity, but there was so much more under that surface.

[Maggie-Miau]

I didn't really 'know' Mr Willes, but he's been such a major presence on this forum and such a big personality. He seemed like a wonderful person. 

[Heidi]

26 minutes ago, DarK_RaideR said:

This really nails it. Thanks for putting it to words. These are real relationships, even with people we haven't met in person, and this is a real loss that causes real grief.

Agree with @deftona and @DarK_RaideR. I didn't interact on the boards much, but I read them. Willies was a bedrock presence and his absence will be felt in many ways here.

 

May his memory be a blessing to us all.

[SkyGirl]

I'm another Ranger who never met Willes in person, but I can't overstate how timely and needed his encouragement often was in my life. Yes, he could drop an inappropriate joke or GIF with the best of them (confession: I always laughed), but much more will I remember the way he checked on my thread or shot me a FB message when he sensed I wasn't doing well. It was funny how his GIF hugs felt almost as real as in-person hugs - just from knowing that he really did care about how I was doing, and that he was happy to take time out of his own busy day to let me know that he cared.   

 

 

We miss you already, friend.

[juliebarkley]

56 minutes ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Most of us knew Willy for his gifs and inappropriate humor, but I can remember more than one D&d sessions where I went on camera after a shitty morning or something that was bugging me but I was trying to keep it out and have fun while not ruining the fun of others. Later on when I'd apologize for being a bit off and said something had happened, he'd always say he'd noticed but didn't wanna push me at the time, but wished me well and was available if I wanted to talk it through with him. He understood and he cared, but was also discreet about it. Yeah the humor was a big part of his identity, but there was so much more under that surface.

Totally. He was kind and sweet and caring. And even nervous and shy sometimes - I remember I had to coax him into my Werewolf game because he was so unsure of himself (or course, he did great). Wish we'd been able to get a live D&D session in. I had the opportunity once and I missed it.

 

We won't forget you, Willes.

[Yasha92]

Joining the chorus of love and sadness. We will miss you brother. 

[RES]

F&^K!! I hate to hear this...he was someone I looked forward to seeing here and on other social media sites, could always make me laugh  

 

[Snarkyfishguts]

My brain is having trouble processing this. I always enjoyed his raunchy sense of humor and rolling my eyes at his jokes thinking "Ah, THIS guy." while laughing along.  He brought a lot of fun and laughs and dang this really sucks. 

 

My condolences to his family and to his close friends here at NF. 

 

Thanks for telling us, Tank. 

[Cheetah]

I loved taking to Willy.  This place will not be the same without him.  I feel honored to have known him.  Prayer for his family.

[Rhovaniel]

Came on here, as others did, to pay my respects. I'm still in shock, but damn, I miss that man already. As others said, he was a master of GIFs, open and genuinely funny. In person as well as online.  Playing D&D with him every week was a honour and a privilege; I speak for me and the players not on here when I say he truly brought so much to our games. He was so nervous that he'd misread something, or say the wrong thing, but of course, he fit right in.  I'll never forget him checking in with me if I was having a rough time, and equally, dropping a message to say how much he enjoyed a game. It hurts so damn much. It's cruel that he was taken so soon like this. 

 

[Emma]

I didn’t really know mr. Willes but it is sad to have a member of the rebellion taken so young. 

[Shello]

So sad to hear about mr Willes.  I only chatted intermittently with him but his character was evident all around the rebellion and I am quite sure for all who knew him irl.  He will be missed.  

[KB Girl]

That's really something that his friend thought to tell us, really appreciate that. 

We'll have to have squatmas in his honour? 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

1 hour ago, KB Girl said:

That's really something that his friend thought to tell us, really appreciate that. 

We'll have to have squatmas in his honour? 

Squatmas will be a Forum Tradition in his honor as long as I'm a part of the forums.

[Scaly Freak]

2 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Squatmas will be a Forum Tradition in his honor as long as I'm a part of the forums.

 

This makes me happy that I for once was able to do Squatmas last year. And determined to take part again this year. 

[spezzy]

This is absolutely crushing for so many reasons - my heart is broken for his family, but also for everyone who knew him at any capacity.  He'll be so missed here

 

I haven't said much yet (between this, a similar death in my non-NF life a few days before, and being sick, I've honestly felt completely at a loss for words), but I do want you to all know that I'm working to figure out a way to send something to his family from the rebellion - as well as figuring out ways we can remember him and all he contributed to this community here as well. I don't have more details, but sounds like we're already on board for squatmas  

[KB Girl]

14 hours ago, spezzy said:

but I do want you to all know that I'm working to figure out a way to send something to his family from the rebellion

Let me know if I can help with post things, since I’m in a neighbouring country and speak the same language.

[Heidi]

Hey, y’all, it’s Week 5!

What’s your last week of the challenge hold? 

Are things starting to come together? Is there an area that you need to activate a little bit of Berserker Mode for a final push (or to jumpstart it back on track)? Don’t be shy! Holler for a lifeline if you need one.  

 

Gather round and tell us how it’s going.

[foxinthenorth]

On 6/5/2022 at 9:51 AM, Heidi said:

What’s your last week of the challenge hold? 

My challenge for this last week of the challenge is to keep my eating pretty well under control. The last day of this challenge is a big family wedding that has been a lot and I’ve been more relaxed with food due to being extremely busy. I anticipate wine and good food all around this weekend and want to enjoy myself but not feel terrible afterward. Veggies, water, and moderation!

 

That said, this challenge has been really good for me. I regained a good bit of core strength, and I lost most of the weight I meant to. I’m looking forward to the next challenge, and think I will focus on strength. 

[Snarkyfishguts]

On 6/5/2022 at 12:51 PM, Heidi said:

Hey, y’all, it’s Week 5!

What’s your last week of the challenge hold? 

Are things starting to come together? Is there an area that you need to activate a little bit of Berserker Mode for a final push (or to jumpstart it back on track)? Don’t be shy! Holler for a lifeline if you need one.  

 

 

I am not making my weight loss goal this challenge, but I got a lot done, I learned a lot, and I feel stronger.  I think for the final days, I'm going to stop trying to be the person I think I should be, and focus on taking care of the real me.  

[KeysMcGee]

On 6/5/2022 at 12:51 PM, Heidi said:

What’s your last week of the challenge hold?

The calm before the storm for me. Just learned yesterday that work is about to explode due to winning some new clients, my expanding responsibilities, bringing on some new team members, etc. It's a good problem to have, though. Least I won't be bored.

On 6/5/2022 at 12:51 PM, Heidi said:

Are things starting to come together? Is there an area that you need to activate a little bit of Berserker Mode for a final push

My chest shall stay clothed for the time being. Adding a "wake-up before 7 am" element to my challenge was exactly the right idea as it's given me a nice pocket of time before my workday to knock out several challenge elements, plus spend time on the forums more. Workouts are getting harder which is a sign to me that I'm succeeding in that area.

[Heidi]

10 hours ago, foxinthenorth said:

Veggies, water, and moderation!

 

That said, this challenge has been really good for me. I regained a good bit of core strength, and I lost most of the weight I meant to. I’m looking forward to the next challenge, and think I will focus on strength. 

I like this approach! 

And way to go on having a great challenge—I like the way you’re adding strength in next challenge while keeping the gains from this round. Kind of seems like an spiral approach to the many health and fitness goals, and I like it.