William Gowan-Baerga
2001 – 2025
Brunswick, GA

September 24, 2001 - April 10, 2025
William Elias Gowan-Baerga, 23, of Brunswick Georgia passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Southeast Georgia Health System - Brunswick Campus.
A service to celebrate Will's life will be held at 4:00 Eastern time on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Chapman Funeral Chapel in Brunswick. Pastor Tim Brown will officiate.
Survivors include: his parents, Dawn and Greg Huebshman; father, Louis Baerga; sisters, Raine Gowan, Ireland Huebshman, and Emma Joy Cordell; Aunt Elizabeth Gowan; Uncle William Gowan; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Levi, and grandparents, Martha and William Ross Gowan Sr.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Ronald McDonald House.
“Will WAS love. Not just someone who loved, but someone who was love in the way he showed up – fully, warmly, and openly. He gave the best hugs, the kind that wrapped around you like safety. He loved to cuddle, connect, and to be present in the simplest ways that made you feel like you mattered the most. Will always made people feel seen, and that kind of love is rare.”
“He had a softness that the world doesn’t always know how to hold – but to be loved by Will was to be held by something sacred. Something that we will always carry with us.”
At the age of 13, Will began to grapple with a recurring brain tumor. He and his family often referred to it as “The DT” (Damn Tumor). While the tumor, surgeries, and medications occupied so much of his time, they did not detract from his fullness of life. “His tumor stole a lot from him but could never steal the sunshine he radiated.” “He could make a lemon meringue pie out of the lemons of life.”
Will had a wicked sense of humor, and his family agrees that sarcasm was his first language. His passions included longboarding, good coffee, riding his bike, Airsoft, making mead, Volkswagen vans and cars, and recently was experimenting with a 3D printer. He loved animals and small children, and he loved his mama and his sister above measure. Will’s cat Keiren (aka “Fatty”) was his constant companion. He recently spent days playing and training Biggs, the bed-hogging Rottweiler. “He loved playing with the kids, no matter what stage they were in (which is very impressive for a little brother!)”
He also loved reading; on a hiking trip in the Grand Canyon he finished a book and begged others to trade books. He would read anything he could get his hands on. He loved to learn (just not at school), and he poured himself into what he wanted to do.
Despite his young age, Will lived a fuller and deeper life than perhaps most other people. “He was kind and genuine in every word and action, and someone whose soul you would never have thought was touched by the harshness of this world, given how he always exuded happiness and love to those around him.” “There was something rare about him… a quiet goodness that shone through even in the smallest things he did.” “He made me feel like I had been friends with him for years – like I fit in the family like a missing puzzle piece.” “His spirit was pure, and he left behind a warmth that will be felt forever. Will was truly one of the kindest souls (we’ve) ever met.”
Will was a bright light in all of our lives. He is deeply missed.
When asked to remember Will, here is a small sample of what his friends and family say:
“He was my best friend, the second silent beat of my heart.”
“He had that signature little-brother kind of energy; playful, persistent, and up to something. That was William – teasing, in his endearing, little brother kind of way.”
“William had a sweet soul and had fullness of life, even with life stacked against him. He showed up for his people and made the best of the cards he was dealt.”
“Will was definitely a Gowan; he would talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere, as long as humanly possible.”
“He thought he was the number one best comedian in the world, no matter how many times I told him otherwise.” “Will could fill a room with laughter with either his stupid Dad jokes or his own ridiculous laugh.”
“To know Will was to know unconditional love and compassion. He was a great listener. He gave THE ABSOLUTE best hugs and knew exactly when I needed one.”
“He was loyal and would be there for me the second I called. He always knew what to say.”
“He grew up like my brother. I didn’t have many close friends, so I cherished his friendship. He had a magnetic and accepting personality.”
“His smile and laugh were infectious and genuine. His friendship was definitely something to cherish.”
“The moment he was born he was the sweetest kid with the biggest soul. He was always respectful even when he didn’t have to be. He genuinely cared about people.”