Wil Thomas Levister

Larger Than Life

Wil Thomas Levister passed unexpectedly on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at the young age of 34. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 12 pm at the McWherter Civic Center in Dresden. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday at the civic center from 9 am until service time at 12 pm. Wil had a heart bigger than life itself and he loved so deeply.

Wil's journey began on September 21, 1988, where he was born in Union City, TN. Evident at an early age, Wil Thomas possessed an extraordinary passion for the truth and a hunger for knowledge. Wil Thomas was always curious and inquisitive. He was competitive and relentless. He never met a stranger and listened intently to anyone who needed to talk.  He was a brilliant thinker and researcher. Wil Thomas loved to educate others and gave free of his time in researching solutions and root causes. Wil was deeply passionate about autism.

Wil attended Dresden schools and thoroughly enjoyed sports, always showcasing his athletic prowess on the basketball court and baseball field. In 2007, he graduated from high school and later attended Valencia College in Florida and continued his studies at Middle Tennessee State University. Wil quickly outgrew the standardized teachings of institutionalized school systems. Wil was not concerned with personal endeavors. He was selfless and believed in giving back to his community and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Wil coached pee wee basketball boys, he was a passionate advocate for children, with an emphasis on Autism. Wil worked tirelessly learning and sharing his findings with the autism community. He will be greatly missed by family and caregivers of autistic children, and the entire TACA community.

Wil was an avid UT Volunteer Sports Fan and grew up going to football games with his grandparents.  Additionally, he was a huge St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan and attended many games throughout the years.

Wil's biggest source of joy was his family and friends. He shared an unbreakable bond with his fiancée, Christina Mahesse, and her two beautiful children, Aaliyah and L.J. They brought happiness and love into his life, and Wil cherished every moment spent with them.

Wil Levister will be remembered as a true force of nature, a seeker of truth, an educator, and an extraordinary athlete. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched, the knowledge he imparted, and the immense love he shared with his family and countless friends. We love you Wil Thomas and may we all be together in heaven one day.

Wil is survived by his fiancée, Christina Mahesse, and her two children, Aaliyah and LJ, and his loving parents Julie (Carlos) Cabrera of Franklin, TN and Chad Levister of Dresden, TN.  He will be missed by his siblings Brooke (Jordan) Merritt, Darren Chappell, and his nephews (gingers) Thomas and Baker Merritt and Nicole Cabrera.  Bonus siblings Jessica (Rick) Cabrera, Sandra (Mike) Cabrera, Theresa (Kenny) Cabrera, Carlos (Keri) Cabrera. He is survived by his grandparents Larry and Brenda Levister, Bettye and Richard Tidwell of Dresden, TN and James and Kay Mayo of Kyle, TX.  He left behind His Aunt Jennifer (Steve) Blackstone, Aunt Kristi (Chad) Parsley, and Uncle Jeff (Kim) Mayo of Dresden, TN. And many other special family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to The Autism Community in Action at the link below:

https://tacanow.org/donate/