Paul, it's been almost five years since I was informed that you had left us. In those five years I thought about you a lot and I'm not really sure why that is? I have asked myself that question many times over these five years. As we were not friends per say we were two humans on the road to a place called hope. I saw in you a lot of myself when I was your age but better. I saw a young man that had access to this world but one would have never known that. I saw a humble young man with an older soul. I saw maturity in a man of your age and was envious of that, I wished that I would have had that same mindset at your age. I saw a young man that longed to make his family proud. I had not had that mindset at your age, hindsight now at my age of almost sixty years is that if only I would have had that motivation to think of someone else other than Bryan and only Bryan. Paul, I feel deep down that I'm not alone in my recollections of yourself. I believe you have made deep and lasting impressions on many nameless souls. One thing is strangely for sure you left an ongoing impression on this old man, and I thank you for that. Until we meet again, I know and truly believe we will! That old guy you dad help that needed a ride to the meeting I think his names Bob no Ben Bryan - God Speed -

Missing you always wp

3 years without you feels like a life time & yesterday at the same time. You’ve missed so much over the last 3 years and we miss you more than words can express. You were so special - such a light to all of us. We’re so thankful you’re no longer in pain but damn it still hurts to not see your face and hear your laugh. Love you, WP

I miss you, wp. I wish i could hug you just one more time. And i can’t help wonder what you’d be doing right now if you were still here with us

It's been 2 years…
2 years without you by my side.
2 years of our lives you haven’t been here for.
2 years of change, growth, tears, and struggle.
2 years of meeting new people who will only ever know you from the stories we tell.
2 years of things I am just begging to tell you.
2 years of sibling jokes with Kris that you should be a part of.
2 years of being Aunt Kiwi to Linc & Ella without our Uncle Ppaw.
2 years of holding heartbreak & joy in the same breath.
2 years of wrestling with how this could ever happen to you.
2 years of writing cards to you that you’ll never read.
2 years of visiting your grave site even though I know you’re not truly there.
2 years of talking to a slab of stone just find some peace.
2 years of fumbling with the question “how many siblings do you have?”
2 years of missing you every single day.
2 years of watching everyone else miss you too.
2 years of feeling like a broken record because all I can really say is I miss you but in a million different ways.
2 years that have felt like an eternity without you but at the same time, today I said out loud “I can’t believe it already been two years?”

It has. And it’s been a hard 2 years without William Paul.

Oh how I wish I could tell you all about our lives - how our Niece & Nephew are growing up to be the sweetest and sassiest little people, how I met the love of my life & we’re getting married, how much you’d love him & you two would pull way too many jokes over on me if you were here. I wish you could see the new city I moved to, the work I do, or the fun new people I’ve met. I wish you could see your friends get married & we’d hear the stories of the shenanigans you all would inevitably still get into. I wish I could tell you all the boring stuff too like that I like guacamole now & nerd out over my near-perfect work-from-home desk setup.

I wish I could tell you everything all the time because that would mean that you were here & I absolutely hate that you’re not.

It’s been 2 years. And I miss him just the same.

It’s been 2 years now and some days I feel bad that I’m still sad. I didn’t know Will as well as a lot of others did, and I didn’t know him as long. He was an amazing man, and today I’ve been re-reading our texts trying to think of all the good times. He was always there for me when I needed him. I don’t think how long I knew him told the whole story for me and Will. He was one of my best friends and it will never stop hurting when I think of all that he won’t be there for. Got married awhile back and he would’ve been a groomsman, and we all talked about how much fun it would’ve been to have him out there goofing off with us at the bachelor party or the day of the wedding. I don’t really know what I wanted to accomplish with this tribute but it feels good to say some things I’ve been feeling. I loved Will, and I miss him every day.

I miss you every day William Paul.

I first met William Paul when I transferred to LCA halfway through the year in the 7th grade. We were locker neighbors and he was the first person that I met. He was so kind, funny, and helped me feel at ease during a hard time. We had many classes together, and I got to know him pretty well over my time at LCA. We truly had some fun times that I will never, ever forget. But most of all I learned how to power through almost anything in life, because he had been through it all; yet he always had a smile that would light up a room and let out the most contagious laugh that I’ve ever heard. He was such a beautiful soul that touched my life and had an amazing impact on all those around him. His immeasurable service and dedication to the Lord is something that I will always strive for. The impact he had on those he interacted with will never be forgotten, and I will always cherish the moments I had with him and the man that he awe. Rest In Paradise brother, I will see you again.

I met Will through our Formula SAE team at UK - he was always such a bright individual and was willing to work hard for our team. I always enjoyed interacting with him and seeing his work ethic; he would also go above and beyond for his teammates and would always try so hard to make sure that those around him got the help they needed themselves.

Hard to hear about his passing - I hope that he can rest in peace. Praying for his family, friends, and everyone he had an impact on throughout his life.

Larry,
Very sorry for your devastating loss of your beautiful boy. Words cannot convey the grief you must be feeling during this difficult time and I pray our loving God will bring you peace and serenity to cool the burning sadness and grief you must be feeling.

WHEN YOU HAVE A BROTHER LIKE WILLIAM PAUL AND THEN YOU HAVE YOUR OWN KIDS YOU GET REALLY EXCITED TO WATCH THEM GROW TOGETHER. YOU IMAGINE ALL OF THE THINGS HE WILL TEACH YOUR KIDS- HOW TO FISH. HOW TO THROW A PUNCH. HOW TO SHOOT A GUN. HOW TO FIX A FLAT TIRE. BUT MOST OF ALL HOW TO INTENTIONALLY CARE FOR PEOPLE. YOU GET EXCITED BECAUSE HE SHOWS UP FOR THE PEOPLE HE LOVES AND YOU JUST FEEL SO FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE
TO SHARE THAT LOVE WITH THE LITTLE PEOPLE THAT YOU LOVE.

I will love you every day WP. I will miss you every day. I promise to show up for people like you did- your legacy will live on.
I carry your heart. (I carry it in my heart)

William Paul is one of the best, if not the best, person I have ever met. He is genuine and kind and loving in a way that very few people are. If I needed advice or encouragement, Jakobi would always be there. He cares deeply for God and others and is someone that I would love to be like one day.

Larry, we only had a few opportunities to be with you in our Family 2 Family Zoom meetings. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I want to send my deepest sympathy to Larry, Kathy, and Mary. I remember seeing your beautiful family many years ago as we celebrated our lives together on several occasions. May God bless and comfort you through your grief. I pray that He will be a constant companion for each of you and for all who loved your wonderful son.
With love and prayers,

I always say Will was wiser beyond his years. He may not have always had a solution, but he always had the right process to get to the solution. He was dependable, and a really good friend too. You could sit and talk with him about anything under the sun. He was always there to listen to anyone who needed to talk. I’m really going to miss not being able to talk to him more.

Love you brother.

I met Will through the Formula Kentucky Formula SAE group while I was in college. He was a fair bit younger than me, but it never felt that way. He was one that would always ask questions that would make both of you think, and you'd both learn something in the end. He was always a great time to be around no matter the circumstances, we both had plenty of rocky times as team leads, and he's a main character in some of my fondest memories of my time with the team. He always seemed the put the most effort possible into making sure he never came across as aggressive or belittling with any critiques, and that's something I'll always respect immensely. He certainly made the people around him, and the world, better with his presence, and I certainly wish I could tell him that right now. Hopefully some day I can. We'll all miss you until then, brother.

I will miss you for the rest of my life. You were such a joy growing up. Hold Jesus' hand and know that your loved so very much. I'm sorry I never bought you that steak you always wanted. Maybe later, huh?

He introduced himself to me as Will on the day we met in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in Summer of 2018. In the first few hours that we met I knew he was special. He was easy to talk to, hilarious to say the very least, and his deep voice commanded my attention. Will became a friend that sticks closer than a brother in just those 3.5 weeks. We teased each other, he made me laugh until I cried (every time he spoke), he introduced me to Post Malone, I watched him fix every motor, machine, or appliance in sight, and he had experienced so much trauma and heartbreak in his short life than I thought was possible. We shared both of our life’s stories and struggles one night on the dock and Will offered me so much wisdom and truth from scripture it blew my mind. He had such a heart to help people in AA, and to see other people experience the healing and freedom he had experienced. William taught me so much, made me feel so full of joy and laughter, and served those around him with 100% effort and 100% sweat in our case in Haiti. William you are brilliant, kind-hearted, loving, serving, honest, wise, and truly a gem in this world. There aren’t enough words to describe the devastation I feel and know much I wish we could have one last breakfast together in Haiti or sit on the boat dock in Haiti and talk about our lives, our families and our dreams. I love you buddy. Have fun with Jesus

May Jesus greet him at the Golden Gates with a Crown filled with precious jewels for his head and a chariot filled with love ones, saying, " Welcome to your forever home."

I met Paul when he was born while I was working at Progressive Marketing. Krista and I would fight over who got to hold Paul when Kathy would bring the kids by. A very happy family. love to all.

We will always enjoy our memories of Will Paul as our neighbor on Providence Rd. He was funny, smart, engaging, interested and interesting, kind, adventurous, young-at-heart, yet somewhat of an old soul.
So very sorry for his family’s loss. He will be missed by all.

They sure don’t make’em any better than Jakobi. I could write a book on the stories we shared together and with our friends in high school but a good portion of those might still get a slap on the wrist so I think it best to save them for a later date. That being said, no matter where we were or what was happening, having William Paul around just made it that much more exciting. That much funnier. That much more memorable. There aren’t many people like that. The kind that only bring you up and never down. Just sitting in the same room as the man was a remedy. From the time we met in kindergarten through now he has always been one of a kind in the very best of ways and that’s what he will remain in our hearts and minds forever.

Jakobi,
I’ll miss you every day this world offers me but I know you are up in a better place. I hope Heaven allows a little mischief or else you and I might be in some trouble. I love you and I can not wait to see you again. Rest easy brother.

The Lord never put a more genuine man on this Earth than Will Jakobi. We met when I joined Formula Kentucky, and we hit it off because we shared “grandpa-like” tendencies and world views. He became one of my best friends in the world, and despite being physically smaller and 2 years younger than me I looked up to him. He truly was an example in humility, and servant leadership While he was with Formula Kentucky.
From Teaching me to box, to talking guns or knives, to him saving my tail when I messed up the teams credit card information me and Will never had a bad time.
I went by the shop today and memories flooded back to me. I saw where he sat when we would study the Bible together, where he labeled his space on the shelves(good lord that boy loved building shelves), and where I saw the master at work on the engine.
What I want anyone that sees this to know is how he treated everyone I ever saw him interact with. This man was never cross to anyone, even when “discussion” got heated. I loved him like a brother and I know I’ll never forget him. I don’t know that the Formula Shop will ever feel the same again. Rest easy Brother, I hope you knew what you meant to me.

Though I never had the pleasure of meeting William Paul, I know how much Kali loved him. I just adore Kali, and I am praying for your precious family. I am deeply sorry for your loss.

I have loved William Paul since he was a baby when Madison and Krista were such good friends. I am so sorry for your loss and pray that God will bring you comfort and heal your heart.

Through the past couple years I had the chance to be around Will Paul because of Younglife. Even though we only spoke a couple times you could tell he was someone who was so genuine and welcoming no matter what - he always had a smile on his face no matter when I saw him and I always wanted to reach out because he was the type of person I wanted to be around and be friends with. I always thought reaching out to someone I’ve only spoke to a few times would be weird and never got the courage to do it and I so wish that I would have because we could have been great friends. Even just the couple interactions we had I will miss having the chance to be his friend and getting to know him - but it brings me comfort to know he is now in Heaven.

Will Paul was a senior when I was a freshman and he always made me feel so welcomed. Whenever my older brother let me hang out with him and his friends I usually ended up with Will Paul because even though I was an annoying freshman, he listened to me and made me feel appreciated. Some of my best high school memories and friends were made in the back of his big ole orange truck. He was a great role model and taught me a lot about life by the way he lived his.

I met Will Paul at my freshman year homecoming. We sat next to each other at dinner. In the short time we talked, I remember how shocked I was at how mature he sounded at such a young age. He reminded me of my grandfather. Over the next few years I had the pleasure of getting to know him even more, whether he was trying to explain boxing to me or giving me crap for driving a Ford, he always put a smile on my face. I hope I'm like peach when I grow up, wise, calm, grounded in my Faith, and always loving.

I was fortunate enough to take a couple Calculus and other engineering classes with William Paul. I remember sitting with him everyday and he was so natural at everything we learned in those classes. Some of the topics I couldn’t understand for days, would take him a couple minutes to understand. Thankful to have been able to learn from him and share those memories in class. There was something about his presence that just made you feel known and appreciated. He was one of a kind— as a student and an individual.

William Paul, Peach, Obi-Wan Jakob, Peepaw,

Words will never do you justice.

William Paul was one of my best friends and I had the privilege to share a house with him in college. Some of my favorite memories with him are nothing crazy. Whether it be watching the Grand Tour in between classes together, the crazy shenanigans we’d get into at his house, staying up late at night to talk about whatever was on our minds, him helping me with calculus, him walking down the stairs at three in the afternoon wearing flannel pajamas with a coffee in hand, him trying his best to explain car things to me or even late night drives crammed into his big orange truck with all his other tools and car stuff that I never learned the purpose of, William Paul always brought joy to me.

One of my favorite memories with him is when one day after I had parked, I heard his truck pull in. I decided to hide and wait so that I could jump out and scare him. When I finally saw him, I jumped out and yelled and I wish I could describe the scream he gave off and the face he made. We laughed about it for the rest of the night.

He cared a lot for his friends, so much so that no matter what he had just gotten from or had to do next he would always make it a point to listen to any problem we faced and would always give the soundest advice. I look up to him. He was so smart and bright thus he found himself a part of so many things and events. He was the hardest-worker and never complained about his workload or the late-nights he’d face while studying for his physics exams. He was the man.

William Paul is one of the most caring, intentional, passionate, hard-working, loving, thoughtful, and wise people I have or will ever know. I miss him so dearly. Though he is not with us on this earth, I know he has found peace in Heaven. He will always live forever in me. I love you William Paul and I hope to be like you one day.

Jakobi was always someone that I could go to with anything and everything. He was always there for me, whether it be just listening or giving me advice. No matter what. He was and always will be my brother. I love you brother now and always.

One of the first times I met WP was at a Christmas gift exchange and the item he brought was so eclectic and no one understood it but I thought it was so funny because at the end he wanted to leave with what he brought because he thought it was the best gift. WP had the best sense of humor and the best laugh. I remember driving down Columbia and seeing WP sitting outside the Wildcat Market in his classic Mountain Dew hoodie having a great time. He was the person people recommended to call when I had a car issue I didn’t know how to fix and he helped me many times. He was so quick to drop what he was doing for someone else’s needs. WP was such an amazing soul and a blessing to the earth. He will be missed by so so many people. Fly high WP 🤍

William Paul bore the middle name of his grandfather, Paul Jakobi. Even though their time was brief he had the reflection of his grandfather. He was kind; humorous; intelligent; giving; faithful and always helpful to others in need.

Will loved the Lord and truly had a servants heart. He was not ashamed to share his faith. God broke the mold when He made Will.

While we struggle to make sense of this tragedy—God is ever present. William Paul is in the company of those gone before him and more marvelous still; he is in the presence of God.

The pain of his loss will reverberate in the lives of those who loved him for a long time. He will not be forgotten. Because of the caring person he was others have been given the gift of life, This gift is a tribute to all he was...a child of God who touched many lives with his love.

Rest easy, William Paul. You were loved beyond measure.

I only knew Will for a few months, as I was a freshmen last year and had just joined the Formula Kentucky team. He was always smiling, joking, working, or helping someone else. He always helped me understand things and he taught me a few things about working on the car. I always enjoyed seeing him in the shop and I knew it was going to be a good time whenever I saw him. He was always understanding if someone didn't know something. I can't believe he's gone and I wish I could talk to him again and hear him talk through his projects and such. You'll be missed greatly Will.

His lord said unto him, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’
-Matthew 25:21

Sending prayers, thoughts and love to yourself and all your family. Sorry, I cannot attend the services but you will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Charlie Dugan

William Paul was a senior when I was a freshman and he always treated me like a little sister and was just so caring. But one time we were walking down the hallway and our hands hit right as we walked by each other. As a freshman, something like that was so embarrassing to me so I didn’t look immediately. After about 10 steps I finally looked back and he looked back at the same time; this huge smile just filled his face and he waved so big at me and we both just laughed. That memory always makes me smile and so did he, love you wp.

I knew him from working with him a couple of years. He was such a joy to be around and an uplifting young man. He had a contagious smile that was always there. He will be solely missed. Prayers to all his family. God Speed.

My favorite thing about my family is we write novels for holiday cards. It doesn’t matter what holiday, if there’s a card for it, you will get one as a Jakobi family member and it will include exactly how they feel about you. I cherish the cards I have from all my family but now especially from you, wp. If I could write you just one more card as you enter Heaven this is what I would write: ⁣
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William Paul - you brought out the best in me, in all of us. You made me better person in every way. You made me believe the best in people. You made me feel safe in this world no matter the distance physically between us. With you by my side I felt unstoppable. You were the kind of person that made people feel at home, at ease, and like everything was going to be okay. You were the most selfless person I knew and even on your worst days, you were still kinder, funnier, and more genuine than anyone I’ve ever met. You made us laugh, like genuinely belly laugh until we had tears in our eyes. You made the world a better place & impacted every single person you ever met. Now the rest of us are left with the charge to step it up to the standard you set and the legacy you left for us. I wanna be just like you when I grow up buddy & I promise to make you proud. ⁣
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You were my favorite person on this earth but now you’re my favorite person in heaven and I cannot wait to hug you again someday. ⁣
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I will miss you forever but I’m thankful you can rest now. ⁣
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I love you forever. ⁣
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Love your biggest fan, ⁣
Kali🤍⁣