Werner H. Will Obituary
March 24, 2025
MACOMB, IL - - Werner H. Will, 93, of Summerville, SC, passed away on February 28.
Will was born on September 29, 1931, in Scharnitz, Germany, as the third of four children. His parents and siblings preceded him in death.
Will dedicated 26 years to teaching the German language and civilization at Western Illinois University in Macomb. His academic research focused on texts from the Protestant Reformation and the writings of Martin Luther as well as field studies on Viking culture in Iceland and Runic inscriptions.
He pursued graduate studies at the University of Iowa, earning a Ph.D., after completing his undergraduate degree at Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, VA. During his studies, he met his future wife, Emma Grace Bontrager, and they married in 1961. While at WIU, the couple raised four children and became integral members of the Macomb community.
Following World War II, Will and his family were forcibly relocated from their home in East Pomerania (now Poland) to East Germany. Determined to seek a better future, he made a perilous escape from East Germany and arrived in Luxembourg after a long journey. There, a Mennonite family employed him as a farmhand and later assisted him in emigrating to the United States, where he received a scholarship to study at Eastern Mennonite College.
After retiring in 1994, Will and his wife, Grace B. Will, relocated to Missoula, MT, where they operated a bed and breakfast in the Bitterroot Valley for 15 years. They were active in cross-country skiing and hiking clubs and hosted an international supper club, fostering lasting friendships.
In 2015, the couple moved to Summerville, SC, where they spent their final years at the Presbyterian Communities Home. Will remained intellectually engaged, leading educational programs such as Great Decisions and Comparative Religions. A favorite pastime was his weekly Stammtisch, where he encouraged German conversation among friends and neighbors.
Having lived under both Nazi and Communist rule, Will deeply valued freedom and democracy. He dedicated his life to promoting open discourse and critical thinking, both inside and outside the classroom. His memoir, From the Oder to the Bitterroot, provided a firsthand account of his early life and the transformative power of education. He inspired those around him with his sharp wit, thoughtful discussions and passion for world affairs, books, music, religion and philosophy.
Will is survived by his wife Grace, his children Kurt D. Will, Karl E. Will, Katrina M. Will and Konrad H. Will and his grandchildren Olivia, Parker, Hannah and Jakob.
Arrangements are being handled by Parks Funeral Home, 130 W. 1st North St., Summerville, SC 29483. To leave condolences or send a floral tribute, please visit parksfuneralhome.com.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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