Get To Know Will, V
A Life of Talent, Compassion and Unseen Struggles
William “Will” C. Jones, V was an inspiration to all who knew him.
A beacon of light, love, and kindness, Will's life was a testament to the profound impact one person can make. Will arguably experienced more in his 27 years than many have in a lifetime.
Even with his full and impactful life, most would agree that he had so much more life to give this world.
Born on September 20, 1994, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Will touched everyone he met with his warmth, positivity, and generosity. Whether through school, work, church, summer camps and programs, or competing with teammates and opponents, helping friends or, volunteering his time, his care for others and desire to give back were only matched by his God-given talents, gifts, and abilities. This and more made up who Will was, gave him joy, and also brought joy to others.​
Yet, beneath Will's vibrant smile and impressive achievements lay a silent suffering. His once brilliant light began to dim under the weight of trauma, loss and other emotional and mental health challenges that would unsuspectingly turn into a severe mental illness. His battle with the early onset of psychosis, that we believe was triggered by Delta 9 THC - a psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis - eventually began to torment Will with anxiety, extreme paranoia, hallucinations that told him that people were out to harm him.
Will always had a heart for and a desire to please God, which was evident throughout much of his life. However, it was in the midst of these profound mental health challenges, that he solidified his relationship with God. He expressed gratitude that in Christ he had found peace, and in spite of choices he wasn’t proud of, he had found forgiveness and unconditional love.
As a result of Will's beautiful life, the impact he made on others, and the struggles that ultimately led to his untimely death, God's Will Foundation was created.
Will’s Story
William “Will” C. Jones, V was one of the most loving, compassionate, and kind souls you could ever meet. Will was easy-going, soft-spoken, friendly, respectful, and incredibly loved. He self-proclaimed that he saw good in everyone, was always looking for ways to give back, and had a heart for God.
On a cloudy September 20, 1994, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Will entered the world with a promise of a bright future. He was an active, playful, and curious child who explored his world with optimism and awe. Easy-going and agreeable, he was appreciative and grateful for everything he was given.
Will had a special gift for making the world around him brighter, with a joyous spirit that seemed to shine from within. Whether it was his warm and contagious smile or his knack for instantly connecting with strangers, Will was a people person who cared deeply about others and often felt a responsibility to help.
Will was exposed to many opportunities and adventures as a child, including a variety of sports, the arts, the STEMs (Science Teaching and Math), band and adventure camps. And he excelled in nearly everything he explored. Of all the sports he explored, WIll found a love for the sport of football- playing for his neighborhood park and his middle and high school teams. In music, Will began to gravitate to the drums, playing in his middle and high school bands and becoming the drummer for his church in his early teens. As his passion for music deepened, Will began to hone his singing skills and eventually recorded music under the stage name 'Livm Svnko'.
Aside from his great talents and abilities, Will's calm temperament, easy-going demeanor, warm personality and giving heart often led him to serve others. As a boy, Will asked his Pastor if he could become a Junior Deacon, which is a man who serves in leadership in the church. He also served as a camp counselor for Camp Pelican and NOBTS summer camp, and a mentor with Young Life. Will also went on a mission trip to serve the people of Haiti.
Despite Will’s warmth, kindness, love, care, and concern for others, he had his own inner struggles. Over time, these shadows started to affect his reality, filling his mind with anxiety and pushing him to find ways to cope...​
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Will would often feel the impact of hurt and pain - including the suffering of others. And several of life's events impacted Will's young life. This included, but wasn't limited to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans in 2005 when he was just 11 years old, and the tragic accident and aftermath of Will's paternal grandmother just 1 week before his High School graduation in 2012 at 17 years old.
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Feeling powerless in the face of these hardships, Will always prayed to God, seeking strength, courage and protection for everyone. Pressures of life, combined with the desire to please people, live up to the expectations of others, and traumatic experiences did take its toll, yet he kept showing up and putting on a brave face for others, no matter what was going on inside.
In the fall of 2012, as a freshman college student, living on campus, Will began smoking marijuana. What began as a seemingly harmless social activity with friends, that seemed to offer some temporary benefits, eventually became a catalyst for deeper issues. The signs were very subtle at first, masked by Will's charm and vibrant personality. But changes began to show in different areas of his life. In the spring of 2022, Will's struggles had evolved into the onset of severe mental illness. At the time, we did not realize that Will was in an active state of psychosis.
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Despite his mental anguish, Will felt compelled to seek the prayers of family and lean towards his faith. On Sunday night, March 27, 2022, Will rededicated his life to Christ and was faithful and consistent in seeking peace with God.
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The very next morning, Will left his home in Dallas to stay with family in Indianapolis. Though Will experienced increased peace and felt safe there, it would not be long before the thoughts that wished harm upon him in Dallas would follow him. In the early morning of May 5, 2022, Will walked in the backyard, went into the lake behind the house, and drowned.
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Will's autopsy revealed that Delta 9 THC - the psychoactive compound found in cannabis - was present in his system. This substance, which can also be present in products like gummies, can trigger intense paranoia, cognitive challenges, and heightened anxiety in some individuals. We strongly believe that smoking marijuana played a crucial role in the onset of Will's psychosis, a condition called 'substance-induced' psychosis.
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We don't think that Will fully recognized that the weed he smoked to find calm and relaxation further intensified his fears, paranoia and hallucinations.
Through sharing our experience, we hope to bring awareness to the potential risks associated with Delta 9 THC. Although smoking marijuana and eating gummies containing Delta 9 THC may not affect everyone in the same way, just like with a peanut allergy, for some, the consequences can be deadly.
Although Will’s death was tragic, we wish to honor his life by celebrating his greater purpose and keeping his memory alive. Get to know Will V by exploring his talents, struggles, and spiritual journey. May his story better educate you about mental illness, and inspire you to lead a meaningful life.
Will’s Conversations
with God
Following the day that Will rededicated his life, on Sunday 27th of March 2022, he found profound peace and insight through his deep connection with God.
His writing captures the essence of his spiritual journey, sharing personal reflections and the strength he drew from God's love and mercy.
Download Will's book to read his heartfelt insights and find inspiration and hope for your own spiritual journey.
“Will, I always knew that you had the ability
to change the world,
I just never thought it would be like this.”
Love, Mom
In Loving Memory of William “Will” C. Jones, V
Will’s journey reminds us of the profound impact we can have on one another’s lives. Inspired by Will’s extraordinary spirit, the pain of his illness, and the powerful message from our last conversation just hours before his passing, we founded God's Will Foundation. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we are dedicated to sharing Will's legacy and supporting those facing similar struggles.
If Will’s story touches your heart and you’re moved to help make a difference, we invite you to join our efforts. Your involvement will honor Will’s memory and provide help and hope to those who need it most.