MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — One Maury County elementary school has dedicated two Buddy Benches to a beloved teen killed in a 2023 camper fire.
In a Facebook post, J. E. Woodward Elementary School announced that over the break, two Buddy Benches were installed on the playground and dedicated to beloved teen Will Spiess. Spiess was an 11th grader with special abilites at Columbia Central High School (CHS) who died in a camper fire at the Natchez Trace campground in Lewis County in 2023.
Spiess was a part of the Maury County Public School system since preschool. His mother worked as a school nurse. His loss was felt across the county and J. E. Woodward Elementary School dedicated one of their fundraisers to honor him with the benches.
On Thursday morning, the school invited Spiess’ family to see the benches in person.
“It was a deeply moving moment for all of us,” a social media post from the school reads, in part. “Will touched countless lives with his kindness, warmth, and friendship. He was truly a friend to everyone, and his spirit will always have a place here at Woodard Elementary. We look forward to a more formal unveiling of these benches in the near future as we honor the legacy of an extraordinary individual whose name and impact will forever live on our campus.”
