"You cannot take life for granted:" Loved ones remember Milwaukee photographer, gunned down in Chicago
“You cannot take life for granted:” Loved ones remember Milwaukee photographer, gunned down in Chicago
"You cannot take life for granted:" Loved ones remember Milwaukee photographer, gunned down in Chicago
MILWAUKEE/CHICAGO (WITI) -- Celebrating a life well-lived. The family of a young photographer from Milwaukee -- gunned down over the weekend in Chicago says they don't want to dwell on the tragedy, but instead speak about the positive impact Wil Lewis had on those who knew him. They say they hope putting a face to this heartbreaking incident can help prevent future violence.
Wil Lewis' father and sister-in-law were in Brookfield on Tuesday, July 15th -- making funeral arrangements. They say talking about the good times is what is helping them get through their grief.
Lewis was shot and killed just as his personal life and career were taking off.
At the very spot where Lewis was murdered, flowers and candles now sit. The gesture is a reminder of the bright light Lewis was for many in his life.
"He had a good heart. He had a ready smile," Lewis' father, Joseph Lewis said.
"He was sweet and funny," Tara Bogart with Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design said.
"It`s fun to think of the good times. This makes us laugh, but at the same time we end up crying because it's sad and we miss him," Lewis' sister-in-law Regina Kolbow said.
28-year-old Lewis came from humble beginnings in Guatamala City.
"We adopted him at age 7. He came to us not knowing any English and illiterate in Spanish. Overcoming a language barrier, had to overcome a learning disability, graduated from high school and college,"Joseph Lewis said.
Lewis was a graduate of Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). His passion and talent for photography was leading him to a promising career.
"I'm really sad. It`s a huge loss for the photography community and for MIAD," Bogart said.
Lewis met his wife at MIAD. They recently moved to Chicago for her job -- and Lewis was also able to find work. They had begun talking about their plans for the future.
"He and Maria had actually begun talking about trying to start a family. He was getting ready to start a brand new job and then life happened," Joseph Lewis said.
Lewis' murder is being called a possible case of mistaken identity.
Now, his loved ones mourn, but they're also working to honor his life.
"Celebrate a life that is well-lived and happy even though it was brief. You cannot take life for granted. You have to life each day, each moment and you can't put aside the important things -- telling people you love them and that you care for them," Joseph Lewis said.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 22nd at Harder Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, family members are asking that you contribute to a memorial fund. That fund will help cover funeral costs and will be used to create scholarships for college-bound kids who have had to overcome obstacles and work hard to make their dreams come true.
CLICK HERE to make a donation.
CLICK HERE to read Wil Lewis' obituary.