William Donald Stromquist

Will was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 28th, 2000, the beloved first son of Julee Baird and George Stromquist. He was a vital, energetic 20 year old who we lost suddenly and unexpectedly on June 12th, 2021 after a brief illness and hospital stay.

Will was looking forward to celebrating his 21st birthday and was excited about the future possibilities he was dreaming about and planning for in the multi-faceted life he was creating. He attended the McGillis School, Judge Memorial Catholic High School, and graduated from Highland High School. He was currently a college student at Salt Lake Community College, with plans to transfer to University of Utah. Will always had wide-ranging intellectual curiosity and was an information gatherer who learned absolutely everything about subjects that interested him, ever since he was a little boy. He was considering many paths in life, among them photo journalism, and he was enjoying developing his budding talents for photography and writing.

Will loved the art and craftsmanship of working with his hands and had devoted countless hours to learning and applying a wealth of mechanical knowledge about his passion, cars. He worked long hours as a mechanic, and came home dirty and tired and satisfied about mechanical problems he had solved. He loved the creative process of working on projects on his own cars and friends’ cars in his spare time, and was currently building an ideal engine for his car, piece by very specific piece. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of cars and a keen eye for car design.

Everyone who knows Will has felt the warmth of his big, loving heart. He had a loyal, tight-knit group of friends who were very important to him, including several friendships that began in first grade, and he cared deeply about the people in his life. He was also very close to his family and pets, and was the best big brother to Alex and Henry. Will’s wit and salty humor are unforgettable. He enjoyed his ongoing battle of wits with many people, including his mom, and relished the perfect quip.

Will’s generosity and regard for others extended to strangers after his passing, as his stated intention to become an organ donor was fulfilled and he gifted life to people in need.

Will is survived by his mother, Julee Baird; father, George Stromquist; younger brothers Alex and Henry Stromquist; grandparents Diane Hardwick, and Ted & Vivian Baird; uncles and aunts Jason Baird, Don Stromquist & Regina Rosenthal, and Eve & Roy Blackburn; and cousins Reuben Stromquist and Nathan, Jonathan and Andy Baird. He was predeceased by grandparents, Donald Martin Stromquist and Jane Layton Stromquist. We love Will with all our hearts and he will be so deeply missed.