WillSun Marcus Wayne Mock was born on December 19, 1982 to Michael Wayne Mock and Ann Elizabeth (Reida) Mock in Beloit, Kansas.

In December of 1984, his family moved to Wichita where Will began attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Derby. He moved to Attica with his family in 1987 and called this small community home for the next 9 years. Will was baptized at the age of 8 in the Wellington Ward. As he became old enough to join the Priesthood, one of his callings was to greet other members as they arrived, a calling that he loved. In 1996, the family moved to Park City, Ks and became members of the Valley Center Ward (which at that time was a branch.) While in Park City, he joined a gun club as a sophomore in school, in which his four-member team won 1st place at tournament. Will then discovered Ty-Kwan-Do which he attended for a short time, and learned much discipline and self control. In his Junior year, a history teacher, Mr. Adamson, introduced Will to the Jr. ROTC, which really gained his interest. He learned that his low math grades would hinder his progress in this program, and initiated a transfer to Metro Mid-Town High for his senior year, where he could overcome this obstacle. He graduated one month early, and began his quest to join the Marines. Unfortunately his eyesight disqualified him for this branch of service. Then 9-11 happened. Will felt that it was his duty to try to enlist again, this time he chose the Army. During the time it took him to convince the Army that they needed him, he moved to Harper, Ks. Spending time with his brother, Eric and his mother, grandmother and close friends.

Will took basic training in Georgia, after which he volunteered to serve in Iraq. He was stationed in Germany and spent 6 months training for combat. From there, he was sent to Kosovo, where he helped patrol for 9 months. Upon his return to Germany, he began training for desert warfare. Will spent 15 months in Iraq in 2003 & 2004 and when his company returned to the states, Will asked for and eventually obtained a transfer to another company that was staying in Germany. By this time, Will had made Sergeant and was helping with the training of troops heading to the Iraq conflict. His company received orders to deploy to Iraq, and although they were originally headed to Musul, were diverted to Baghdad at the last minute.

Will loved people and wanted to help everyone he met. He avowed that the Iraqi people were worth our help-even gaining the trust of several orphans who took to calling him Father during his 1st deployment there. It saddened him to see the condition of their lives and he really wanted to make a difference. Will never stopped telling his mother that he had to be there to protect his country, his freedom, and his family. That is why his mother started calling him "My Valiant Soldier."

Will was killed by a bomb on Sunday October 22, 2006 outside of Baghdad, Iraq.

He is survived by his dad, Mike Mock of Wichita, KS, mom, Ann Mock of Harper KS, sister, Teresa Kirby, husband Shane, children, Chase, Shaylee & Zacheriah of Clearwater Ks., brother Eric Phye, children, Mason, Taylee & Ryann of Wichita, Ks., brother, J'Sun Mock, wife Holly, children, Lee Alan, Andrew & Brookelynn of Suppesville, Ks., sister, Tammy Dorsey, husband Sid, children, Alyssa & Annabelle of Valley Center, Ks., sister, Connie Mock, companion Bryan Hendricks, children, Hunter & Jade Long of Phoenix, AZ., & Hope Watkins of Wichita, Ks., and sister, Ruth Mock of Wichita, Ks. Many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends and Brothers in Arms.


Family services will be held Thursday, November 2, 2006 in Wellington and the public is invited to join the family at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Harper Cemetery for the Military Graveside Honors.

In lieu of flowers or food, please give memorials in memory of Will, to Sunflower RC&D for the Wellness Center Walkway to be built in Harper City Park.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W. 14th Street ~ Harper, KS 67058, is in charge of arrangements.