​

Will Ensley was a bright light in this world.  He was a smart, funny, loving and caring person with a bright future ahead of him.  And, he was a strong, competitive swimmer.  He had competed in swim since the age of 9, and loved competing, being involved in, talking about, and just being around the sport of swim. 

Will was seventeen years old, and just a few weeks away from the start of his senior year of high school at Shawnee Mission Northwest when he was killed on the morning of July 26, 2023 by the reckless driver of a dump truck.  He was on his way to an early morning swim practice, and was stopped while waiting at a red light when the driver of the dump truck drove into a line of stopped cars at the light.  Will's vehicle was the first hit, and it bore the brunt of the impact damage.  Will's body fought hard, but his injuries were too severe and ultimately not survivable. 

Will had registered as an organ donor when he got his driver’s license.  I’m sure that he, like many others before him, never thought that his decision would end up benefitting others the way that it did.  He died a hero to many by helping to save the lives of two individuals with his donated kidneys, and he has helped improve the lives of countless others through the donation of his corneas, skin tissue, blood vessels, heart valves, and bone.  Please take a moment to check the organ donation box the next time you renew your license, as you will likely never know when you too may be able to offer others the incredible gift of life.

The Will M. Ensley Memorial Scholarship Foundation, a 501c3 public charity, was established in late 2023 to honor Will, his legacy, his love for life, his love for the sport of swim, and to support others who share his love for the sport of swim.  Will's foundation provides annual post-secondary education scholarships to deserving graduating seniors from the Shawnee Mission Northwest High School swim programs, and the Empire KC Swim Club.  The foundation also supports the Shawnee Mission Northwest swim teams with equipment needs.  Our hope is that through the charitable gifts provided by the foundation bearing his name, Will’s light will continue to shine brightly in this world. 

​

Our foundation is small as it is comprised of only five people.  All five of us are involved in the scholarship application, interview and award process.  And, all five of us are volunteers.

​

Randall Ensley - President / Treasurer

Sharon Ensley - Vice President

Jack Ensley - Secretary

Nick Busch - Board Member

Michael Yeager - Board Member 

​

ABOUT US