South Carolina – The Moncks Corner and Goose Creek communities in South Carolina are mourning the loss of Jordan Willey, a 24-year-old Wofford College graduate whose life was marked by compassion, curiosity, and commitment to others. Willey passed away this week after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib shared a heartfelt message on social media, calling Willey “a shining light gone too soon.” Habib reflected on Willey’s involvement in Sen. Tim Scott’s campaign, where he worked alongside the mayor’s son. “Jordan was incredibly bright, humble, respectful, and charismatic,” Habib wrote. “While he will be missed, I believe we will all miss the impact Jordan would have made.”
Born and raised in Goose Creek, Willey studied at Wofford College, where he built a reputation as a thoughtful student and an active participant in student life. Friends describe him as someone who “lit up every room,” a natural performer who once brought laughter to his high school theatre team during improv tournaments.
Former classmate Lizzy Yancey recalled those moments fondly, writing, “Some of my most cherished memories are when we were doing theatre together. I’ll never forget your ‘welcome to terget’ bit—you killed me with that one.” Her message, both tender and playful, captured the essence of the person many described as “impossible to forget.”
In recent months, Willey’s family had turned to the community for support through a GoFundMe campaign, as he underwent treatment at Keck Medical Center of USC in Los Angeles. The fundraiser sought to ease the burden of mounting medical and living expenses—costs that can often overwhelm young patients and their families.
Cousin Denise Ross shared that the outpouring of help and prayers had been vital. “We’ve only gotten to the other side of similar situations because of the support we’ve received from friends and loved ones,” she said.
Willey’s story has resonated across South Carolina, serving as a poignant reminder of both the fragility and the beauty of young life. For a community that watched him grow from a spirited performer to an engaged young adult with purpose, his passing leaves a space that will not easily be filled—but also a legacy of kindness and promise that endures.
