Richard Posner wrote to Susan after after Will’s death.  He'd been at the funeral, and he listened to some of the family stories, and said he would like to describe one incident, that for him encapsulated some of the best of what Will was about. 

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It was during our time working together in Snapdragon Theater and I believe the play was the “A Thousand and One Nights.” I could speak about the clever, evocative sets and props he made for us, about the extraordinary backdrops he made with a free hand knife from cardboard and his magic of light.

The incident I want to highlight was typically Will's gift to a group of children. I was the only privileged adult to be with him when this happened, and I'm sure there were many occasions in which he suddenly leapt into inspiration, and only the children knew.

 

He was taking a group, and for some reason it became necessary for him to show them how a crow might be shot in midair and fall stricken to the ground.

 

He reincarnated as a crow in an absolute miracle of mime. I've seen some very good mimes in my life, and this was the best.

 

He was the crow.

 

He was flying.

 

Hit out of the blue by an arrow.

 

His whole being showed us what would happen to that poor crow in body and spirit as he began to circle and plummet it to the earth.

 

Slowly apprehending the truth.

 

The turn of his head, the posture of his alien human body and the sudden deadly invasion of the arrow.

 

All these were vivid before our eyes, and the children were absolutely wrapped in the moment in the tragedy of a literal being.

 

This took place in a matter of just a few moments, probably 25 years ago, but I will never forget it.

 

I saw a great artist at work. And I don't use that word lightly.

 

I think Will had an authority with his creations which were powerful, playful, immediate, and just wonderful.

 

A rare bird indeed!