It was hard to miss William Cherry, as his physical stature alone turned heads, but his demeanor and sense of humor are what will be remembered most as his family, the Franklin community, the baseball community, and the world adapts to life without him. William joined the rest of the Angels in Heaven on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. He passed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with his family by his side following an ATV accident that happened over July 4 weekend.

William was a beloved member of the the Franklin County High School Admirals baseball and football teams as well as the Nashville Sluggers travel baseball team. He was a fun-loving student that cared deeply for his family, friends, and school. He was the kind of person that everyone wanted to be around. He was a talented, gentle, fun-loving, humorous, young man with a big heart who “exceeded any expectations of what a typical teenager should be.”

William, who took his “Hero Walk” at Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Tuesday afternoon — a way hospitals show respect to patients who are donating organs at the end of life — gave the gift of life to eight families through his organ donations. William's Hero Walk didn’t go unnoticed, either. Vanderbilt baseball coach, Tim Corbin, met with the family before William's major organs were donated and escorted  William down the hallway “in hopes to give someone in need a chance to fight as he did.” Hundreds gathered the night of Monday, July 3rd at Howard Gamble Stadium to honor him. William was laid to rest on Monday, July 12, 2021, a day shy of his 16th birthday, in front of hundreds of friends and family. William made such an impact on everyone around him, his processional line was over a mile long. He will be deeply missed by his classmates, teachers, coaches, teammates, friends, and the community.

"We want you to know William Michael Cherry Jr., just shy of 16 years old…The first baby to bless a large family and the first baby boy to bless another. The only thing bigger than this boy is his heart. In every way possible, this young man has far exceeded any expectations of what a typical teenage boy should be. He loves unconditionally and unapologetically, no matter who is watching. His heart is as beautiful as his face. His mother is the love of his life, his father is his best friend and his sister is his biggest and rowdiest fan.

In a world full of wolves, William was a sheep dog. A protector. Whether at home with his family or on the field, he takes care of everyone else. He is determined to always be better and do his best even if he falls short.

The only thing this boy knows in life is love. How to give it, how to receive it and how to be it. For 3 years now, he has outgrown all of his family and friends, but today, July 6th 2021, he outgrows the world by becoming a hero to more than just us. He will continue that love journey in bigger William ways then we ever imagined, and his life will live on through us and the gift he is so selflessly giving to others.

Wonka, we have loved you your whole life and we will miss you for the rest of ours.”