Schroon Laker William Andrew Demaniow passed away on May 8. He was 20 years old.

From his official obit from The Post-Star: “Willie was surrounded by family and friends in his last days. Willie lived a full and joyful life in his 20 years and will be remembered with love as a caring and thoughtful friend, son, brother and grandson.

Willie spent his childhood in Shawnee, Colorado, where he was homeschooled with his younger brother Joe through the seventh grade. He attended Fitzsimmons Middle School and Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado, graduating in 2012. He was raised in the loving care of the Platte Canyon Community Church in Bailey, Colorado, and an active member of their Christian Rock Climbing team. Following graduation, he moved to Schroon Lake, New York, with his family. He spent two years at SUNY Binghamton, studying computer engineering. Desiring to be closer to family, he transferred to SUNY Plattsburgh in the fall of 2014, declaring a major in computer science and a minor in mathematics. He made the dean’s list in the fall semester of 2014. He proudly maintained a part-time job at Burger King, a full computer science courseload, and spent as many weekends as he could seeing his family.

An online tribute to Willie sums it up well: “His smile was infectious, his intellect incomparable, and his attitude toward life was astounding.” He progressed from childhood plans to be a Lego designer, to coding software and building computers. Recreation came in the form of rock climbing, longboarding, skiing, kayaking and swimming, always with family and friends. Quoting a friend, “Willie touched many peoples’ lives, but more than anything, he helped shape mine. His smile and his laugh will always play in my head.”

Every activity, every conversation, Willie weighed in his mind with teachings from Scripture. He questioned everything, connecting purpose and direction to future plans and ideas. Sporting bright colored hair, he broke through stereotypes, encouraging people not to judge or bully others based on appearances. He had a brilliant mind and was known to family and friends as a computer whiz — the great brain. He built a few specialized computers, using the name Sun Salt Technologies (see https://vimeo.com/45463431). He coined this name for his computer business, knowing his commission to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (see Matthew 5).

Willie was determined to be the best big brother a boy could ever have. This role he viewed with solemn responsibility, as they listened to music, played Minecraft and watched late-night Anime shows.

Survivors include his mother, Angela Slaterpryce, and brother, Joseph Demaniow of Schroon Lake; father, Dean Demaniow of Denver, Colorado; sister, Harmony (Scott) Miller of Portland, Oregon; grandparents, Anna and Allen Slaterpryce of Scotia; aunt Jill (George) Greene of Lake George; cousins Joy and Maggie Greene; and nephew Cameron Miller. He will be a forever hero to the people who received the donation of his organs.

In honor of William Demaniow’s life, a memorial service was held at noon Friday, May 22, at the Schroon Lake Community Church.

The R.W. Walker Funeral Home handled the arrangements.