John Albert Will

Jack was born on March 7th, 1931 to Albert and Sylvia Will during the early part of the Great Depression. Brother Jim was 3, Tom came along 11 years later. At age two his family moved to the Norwood Park area of Chicago. Both parents were able to find work, but income was about $170/month and rent for a tiny house was $35/month!
These hard times were actually a blessing because he learned the value of a strong work. He had a Tribune paper route in the morning and Daily News in the afternoon and worked grass cutting and window washing in between!
He entered grade school in January 1937 and walked one mile with brother Jim and later rode his Schwinn bike to school, and like all others didn’t even think of locking it (in Chicago)! At graduation he won the American Legion Award as outstanding male student. His name was called three times before he realized he actually was chosen!
In January 1945 he entered Taft high school where he won 3 letters in swimming and second team All District on the champion district football team.
In September 1949 he entered North Central College in Naperville IL. He pursued his love of sports by starting every game at guard where he was second team all-conference, and Wheaton College’s all opponents first team. He reluctantly swam one year on the conference winning team, (no thanks to him). His coach later became President of the Federation in charge of all Olympic swim events!
Jack was also president of three campus organizations: Commerce Club, Men’s Athletic Association, and his class. All college expenses were paid by working every summer on cement construction (foundations) and a 4:00 to 8:00 PM factory job after football season.
After graduation he volunteered for the Navy and was accepted to Officers Candidate School. He served two years as Engineering and Damage Control officer on a ship with a home port of Naples Italy. His final two years were at Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes Illinois as officer in charge of physical training, swimming, and recreation.
In 1957 he met his devoted wife Connie, and they were married in 1958 for 56 years before her passing in 2014. They were blessed with daughter Karen and son John who both excelled in their professions.
Jack’s entire career was in sales and sales management- some highlights:
Shell Oil company service station salesman. In year two he won the district sales contest and received his award from the president of Shell Oil and was promoted to merchandise manager. The Peoria IL district went from last place to 1st in the division contest after one year in that post.
After five years with Shell he spent 22 years with Magicolor paint as a regional manager selling paint to discount stores and home center chains coast to coast. Jack sold products to Home Depot when they had two stores. Promoted to national sales manager for seven years and president for final two years.
Joined Gibson Homans who sold roof and driveway coatings.
Jack was responsible for the western half of the country. He thanked the Lord for his guidance in whatever he accomplished in his lifetime.
January 2017, he married Jerrie Biver who he knew from when he was 11 and she was 10. They loved living in Fountain Hills and visiting Jerrie’s daughter Pam, her 3 grandkids, 6 great grand kids in Alabama. Jack is survived by Jerrie, his son John & wife Diane, daughter Karen, grandson Michael, granddaughter Natalie and great grandson Brayden.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fountain Hills on Saturday, December 7th at 11:00 am followed by a luncheon buffet for all.