William Richard (Willie) Hallstead, 28, of Canandaigua, passed away on Thursday, January 16th, 2020 at home in the arms of his loving parents. Willie beat all the odds with an unparalleled spirit and the support of a loyal group of caregiving friends and relatives, especially Lyn, Nolan, Brit-Brit and Jeanne. The undeserved restrictions placed on him by SMA never limited the kindness, humor, understanding and love that he showed to all. Despite the disease that was with him since birth, he lived his life to the fullest. Within 5 minutes of meeting Will you would receive a smile and experience his charm, wit and grace.
Willie was born August 9, 1991 and attended public schools in Bloomfield and Canandaigua graduating in 2009 from Canandaigua Academy. He earned an AAS in Video Game Design at FLCC in 2011.
He was a gaming connoisseur: Pokemon; Yu-Gi-Oh!; Magic: The Gathering; World of Warcraft; and D&D. He especially enjoyed playing Magic and D&D with his cousins and friends.
Willie is survived by his parents Dudley and Yvonne Hallstead; his mother Maura Sherry; Grandma Shirley; aunts and uncles; and more than a dozen cousins in as many states. His family expresses their deepest gratitude and appreciation to each person who was there to support Willie through the various stages of his life.
A celebration of Willie’s life will be held Sunday, January 26th from 2PM to 5PM at King’s Catering, 4031 Routes 5&20, Canandaigua. Relatives, friends and supporters, stop by, share a memory and a hug and stay as long as you like. Please consider giving your time, talents or donations in Willie’s name to one of these organizations: CP Rochester, Ontario-Yates Hospice, or to one of your favorite places of goodness. All acts of love and kindness are encouraged and appreciated.
As an out of state, I never had as much time to interact with Will as much I would have liked. His spirit was always a step ahead of the SMA. He will be missed.
Love
Aunt Les
We are so very sorry for your loss.
We are sorry for your loss. His beautiful spirit and wit will be with us all forever.
Although I never got the chance to meet Willie, knowing you (Dudley) & Yvonne, I’m certain he was loving and caring just like the two of you! My thoughts and prayers are with you both!
(((((HUGS)))))
Erin
I can’t believe he is gone! I was so blessed to have been part of his life. Karen
Dudley and Yvonne we are so sorry for your loss. May all your beautiful memories give you strength at this difficult tme. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Our love, Dave & Lynne
So sorry to hear of Wills passing.
Thanks Dave.
Please come Sunday.
We will be there my friend
So sorry fo your loss. We pray that Willie is at peace and sharing his talents and smile with all the other angels in heaven. You are all in our prayers.
So sorry we did not get a chance to meet Will.
By The Beautiful Smile He Had A Beautiful Heart
And Spirit.
May God Bless You All
Dudley,
I just wanted to drop a note to extend my condolences to you in the loss of Willie. I can remember in Willie’s younger days of living in East Bloomfield the fire department was well acquainted with him, but then as the family moved on, we sort of lost touch with both you and him.
As a neighbor, I’d recall Willie getting out in the backyard in his wheelchair. For some time we kept that portion of your backyard mowed so he could do that.
I also wanted to thank you because as a father you for the way you dedicated your life to helping Willie. I don’t think there is a single thing you could’ve done more. You went back to school, you changed careers, you gave up the fire department and you changed your entire life so that you could take care of Willie. I know it was tough on our fire department when you left, I’m sure it was even tougher for you with going back to college and changing careers, but it was an admirable and right thing to do. If there was a medal out there for being dedicated to your son, you’d have earned it hands down.
Again so sorry for your loss, and thank you for everything you did for Willie.
Pat,
Thank you for the kind words. The love and caring the fire dept showed for Willie was always touching and helped a good deal to show, we could do this for Willie. You always made him feel welcome. Thanks you for you friendship and help. Dud