William Jackson

David William Jackson

Centerfield, Utah

With deep love we announce the passing of David William “Wills” Jackson on June 5th, 2026. William would probably hate a traditional obituary, so we are not writing one. He perceived his world differently than most people, felt things more deeply than he usually let on, and had a perspective of the world that made you reconsider your own.

He was born June 22, 2006 at Gunnison Valley Hospital, delivered by his grandmother, Christine Jackson. Gunnison, Utah would be the place he called home the majority of his life, though formative years in Cedar City, Utah and Boulder, Colorado also shaped who he became.

Wills had an impressive range of talents; an athlete, a musician, and above all else, a once-in-a-generation intellect capable of critically analyzing and understanding the world around him. His parents, Scott and Staci, nurtured his unquenchable desire for learning from a young age. Scott and William’s relationship was built on philosophy, music, and shared life experiences while Staci’s patient and unwavering love would be the sure foundation his life was built on. These were the very building blocks that created the William we know and love.

William was never fond of the casual, he always craved the deeper. He wanted connection to mean something. Relationships were sacred to William, and those he chose to let in, he loved fiercely. The greatest joys in William’s life were the individual connections he had with his siblings, Adam, Jacob, Lorien, and Irene. The first born of five, he shouldered this responsibility as eldest with grace, wisdom, and above all else, love. His brotherhood with Jacob and Adam was built around mutual empowerment, and his tenderness with Lorien and Irene were the example all men should strive for. He was given the nickname “The Irie-Whisperer” for his ability to connect with a little sister trying to understand the world around her. His actions during his life coupled with his memory will continue to be the anchoring glue to the family he shaped.

Few things brought out the fire in William’s personality like competition. He was a two time Region Champion in Tennis and a National Champion in Magic: the Gathering where he competed in events across America with his dad and brothers. Yet despite his competitive nature, Wills carried a rare and beautiful contradiction; a fierce competitive soul that always yielded to a deep compassionate spirit for those around him.

Wills’ gentle spirit and competitive soul provided the perfect reagents for becoming a generational academic. He would eventually become the Valedictorian of the Gunnison class of 2024, known by his peers for intelligence that was only overshadowed by his genuine kindness.

He continued his rigorous academic pursuits upon invitation to the University of Chicago and will be published in an academic journal as a posthumous author at the age of nineteen. Learning was easy for William but living was far harder. After spending a semester in Chicago, he came home to be with family as he dealt with the crippling pursuit of perfection and severe mental illness. The same mental illness to which he would ultimately succumb.

He returned to Snow College where he continued his academic pursuits and met his soulmate, Alaina Lambert. She became a beacon of light amidst the unrelenting dark, and with her, the gentle smile Wills was known for returned.

Simplicity is often sought in our day in a fragile effort toward understanding and control. William was anything but simple. He had a heart for those on the fringes of society, empathizing with those too often marginalized by others. His tenderness was rooted in lived experience. He never forgot the one. His life stands as a witness to the pain and suffering endured by many; but it is also a testament to profound love, happiness, and a soul that burned bright with a rare fire. A life of such chaotic opposites that ultimately formed into a beautiful harmony of contradiction, compassion, and undeniable humanity.

“It’s like we weren’t made for this world, but I wouldn’t want to be someone that was.” 

William is preceded in death by his cousin, Jackson Hill and survived by many. We invite all to come honor William’s life. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gunnison Stake Center, 80 W Center St. Viewings will be held at the church on Friday, June 12 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. and prior to services on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Gunnsion Cemetery. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook and live streaming of the services at www.maglebymortuary.com under William’s obituary