In Memory of Will Johnson

Will Johnson, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, had a heart attack on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Despite immediate medical care and an outpouring of love, his physical body did not recover.

Will was a foundational leader in his home, with his extended family and community, as well as at Hollabaugh. Will served and protected those fortunate to call him family or friend with strength, loyalty, and love. And he always knew how to make the most of life’s most important and good times.

Will and his wife, Kelly, were undoubtedly each other’s person, and their children, Oden (in 11th grade) and Audrey (in 8th grade), are their living legacy. In honor of Will’s passion for life, family, and friends, Kelly encourages us all to prioritize our health and well-being with regular healthcare check-ups.

We were most fortunate to know Will Johnson. His larger-than-life personality is a force impossible to forget and strong enough to continue to inspire us all.

Will Johnson
May 5, 1980 – August 13, 2025
“The best man I know.” Kelly Johnson

If you would like a way to honor Will and support his legacy, here is a direct link to donate to Oden and Audrey’s college savings plan: https://www.ugift529.com/home.html

To access and give to Oden’s 529 college savings plan, please enter this code: S35-L23
To access and donate to Audrey’s 529 college savings plan, please enter this code: 643-Z9G
If you would prefer to contribute the money via check, please email us and we’ll provide you with further instructions.

Another way to honor Will’s legacy is to support Fife High School Wrestling. Will was a high school wrestler and remained passionate about the sport throughout his life, encouraging and supporting the youth wrestling programs in his community. Fife High School Wrestling

Online Tribute Wall

If you have a picture or memory of Will that you would like to share, please share it using the form below. This online tribute will be protected and maintained as a place to commemorate and preserve the many life stories of Will.

Joe Gilfillan

He made our daughter and kids so happy, and us as well! This picture was when we were out to dinner with them and we were having a wonderful time. We loved him, and his wonderful, quirky sense of humor. He truly completed our family!

Kevin Vincent

One of our fun fishing trips. I caught what I thought were a couple nice salmon. I told Will I wanted a picture of them. He told me to grab a couple out of the box but I wanted my fish in the picture. After I found what I thought were mine he laughed at me that I wanted “my” fish and probably called me a few names.

I will miss his laugh and many other things. He laughed at me a lot.

Christopher C Forry

Will was one of the first people I connected with when I began my career. His guidance, patience and kindness coupled with his seemingly boundless knowledge and expertise made him a go to person for me and helped me gain the confidence that I had someone that could provide guidance for some of the big issues I might come across. His easy going demeanor made him approachable and made me feel like we were old friends just having a conversation. My condolences to his family and friends, he was a big personality and will be missed.

Alina Gavrilut

I have learned so much from Will ! He had a good heart ! I will always remember him !

Greg Shahan

Thank you for the Memory you will be missed

Mike Coers

I’ve known Will for almost 25 years. We started out at UPS together with his childhood best friend, Nick Olson, and Joe Castaneda—loading trailers, moving packages, and doing all the things that built lifelong friendships. After long shifts, we’d hang out, and it was in those early days that I saw the beginnings of the man Will would become.

Over the years, I had the privilege of watching him grow—not just as a family man, but as a professional. When he transitioned to Hollobaugh, he poured himself into his work with a passion that was undeniable. He was driven by helping people, being deeply knowledgeable in what he did, and, most of all, creating lasting relationships. That’s why he was so successful, and it’s what set him apart.

I’m especially grateful for the last day I spent with him, just before his heart attack. He was adamant that we get together, and we shared a wonderful day at the horse races with both of our families. That memory will always stay with me.

Getting the call about his heart attack broke my heart. Will was more than a friend—he was a brother. I’ll carry his memory forward, and I look forward to being there for Kelly, Odie, and Audrey as a support system. I know he would have done the same for me.

Will’s legacy is the love he poured into his family and the impact he left on everyone lucky enough to know him. Going to miss you my man.

Dustin Blumenthal

I’ve had the great privilege to get to know and work with Will the past 2 1/2 years. It was very apparent from my first roll call meeting with HBA that Will was a true leader and the guy many people gravitate to. I learned early on that he was always willing and ready to answer my questions and help with anything I asked of him. I appreciate Will’s leadership style and his ability to always be calm under pressure, a trait of a great leader and man. I am thankful for the time I had to be around Will and see the impact he had on our business and all those he came in contact with. Kelly, Oden, Audrey, I can tell you from a husband and father’s perspective, you were what he cherished more than anything on this earth. Will lives on through you and you will be a light to so many people who loved him. I’ll miss Will but I am happy to know we have a kind and loving Savior who has made it possible for all of us to be reunited with our loved ones. It will be better than another Seahawks Super Bowl victory when we are able to see Will again and hear his wonderful laugh and enjoy his larger than life personality! Love ya my friend!

Andrew Hamilton

Will was such a good teacher when it came to the plumbing items he was involved with. Always had a huge smile on his face and wouldn’t hold back when talking about his family. He will be missed.

Norma Bumbaugh

Who knew this quiet, shy little boy would grow into a young man who had nicknames like Willa Gorilla, the Thrilla or Willamina.

I was so proud of him. He embraced his family in a loving, caring and sometimes stern way. Even tho, he always made time for his momma.

As my heart hurts for his family and myself I hold fast to the hope of seeing him again. John 4:1-4.

Kelly Johnson

I have a lifetime of memories with my best friend, too many to list. Will was kind, hilarious, and the most in your face loving human being. I will always cherish every moment we had, and I know we will be together again to make more moments someday.

Tom Halley

I met Will as part of the Hollabaugh Day at the Park, and he helped us coordinate our work there.

He struck me as a gentle spirit, with a very good energy and helpful manner – a person that you wanted to be around.

Our hearts go out to his family and his work associates at Hollabaugh Brothers.

Jeff Imbriani

The day I showed up to a Seahawks vs Rams game in a suite with 20 Seahawks fans. The only reason I wasn’t beaten was nobody wanted to mess with Will. Much love Brother – you will be dearly missed.

Debi Fuccella

I met Will when he came to work for Hollabaugh, we had a great friendship and he was always so fun to be around. I met Kelly through her dad who was my boss at the time. I have nothing but love and respect for the whole family and my heart is broken for them all. He will be in our hearts and memories forever. Love you Willis!

Jason Polfliet

Will and I worked on many different projects together over the years. In that time we also became very good friends. Anytime I would call him with a problem or an issue, he got on it right away and came up with a solution for me. I also knew that anytime Will and I hung out together, we were going to have a great time and laugh a lot.

Thank you Will for your friendship and all of the memories.

Nick Johnson

“Where there’s a Will there’s a way”

And without one?

There seems no way…

He came into this world with a smile on his face (at first we thought it was gas) and that smile has lifted, elevated the lives of countless since. As a father I learned as much from him maybe more than he did from me. As the years passed our rolls changed as he became my Rock when things got tough, or even not so tough.

Raised on the back of a Harley since he was five he learned what it meant to be a brother… And on the road with a Country Rock band, I’m not sure what he learned, but he let his dad know when it was time to leave the party. The first song he learned was “On the Woad Again.” He could find it on the jukebox because of Willie Nelson’s name.

When staying in an old hotel he didn’t want to get in the elevator because when it came back the people were gone. So I introduced him to “Otis” walked him to the 2nd floor where we rode back down.

Our greatest adventure was a trip to Glacier Park on Harleys. Me on my new Geiser Glide and him on my old Chopper (guess which one broke down). We had gone over the top on the “Going to the Sun” highway but on the return a heavy thunderstorm had settled in at the peak. There were riders coming down frantically signaling not to go up, but we did… through streams of water, and at one point a sizable rock flew in between us at heads height… but we made it.. to the lodge where a huge fireplace warmed and dried us.

Fully Engaged in life… Always.. and Will lived it, Full Throttle.

We will relive it all with our family, friends and brothers on the other side.

David Knittel

I used to teach will and his brother Travis in Sunday school. I thought they were great kids and I will miss Will greatly. I look forward to seeing him again. I am comforted in knowing that death is temporary for a believer and the resurrection will reunite us soon. I hope that if any of this friends and Family do not know Christ that they will soon. I am praying for Will’s family during this time.

Chad Potts

Who would have ever thought that a couple of dads from a wrestling practice could turn into an unwavering friendship and brotherhood that was ready to last a lifetime?! Will and I clicked from the first time we met. For almost thirteen years he’s been a huge part of mine and my family’s lives. Even when we moved away, we always talked and found a way to make time for each other and our family’s.

Words can’t describe how much I miss him. Our Ponson memories will continue to be made, and we will always be here for Kelly Oden and Audrey. He was and is someone I am very proud to call my brother. I think about him daily, wanting to hear his voice or a loud boisterous laugh with a big awkward hug and a kiss on the cheek. I’ll never forget you Will Johnson, you took a piece of my heart with you. Until we meet again brother. I know I will see you again, and I expect that hug immediately. Love you Buddy.

Wade Willingham

Love this guy. So many memories with Will and grateful to have him in my life. Miss you man.

Wendy Woodard

I did not get along with Will when we first met – he called me ‘Wendizzle’. Never met the guy before and already making up nicknames for me. Obnoxious! I later learned that nickname was a term of endearment, Will’s love language for those he holds near and dear. In turn, Will became ‘Wilbur.’ I miss Wilbur but will cherish the many Seahawk trips and events we did with our friends and spouses. He had a personality that was LARGER than life itself. It has been an honor to know you, be the brunt of your wildly inappropriate jokes, and your friend.