Will Jonathan Dransfield

September  17th, 1970 December  11th, 2024
Auckland
Will Jonathan Dransfield

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tribute

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend and precious family member, Will, on Wednesday, December 11th.

For a number of years, Will quietly and courageously battled personal struggles, facing them with strength and grace. Despite his challenges, he remained dedicated to those around him, striving to lift others while carrying his burdens as silently as he could.

Will was a truly remarkable person—brilliant, compassionate, and deeply kind. A gentle soul with an enormous heart, he was known for his unwavering care for others, often placing their well-being above his own. As a physician, he exemplified attentiveness and diligence, saving lives and improving countless others through his expertise, dedication, and empathy. His contributions to medicine and the lives he touched are immeasurable, and his loss is profoundly felt by all those who knew and loved him.

Beyond his professional role, Will was a beautiful human being—genuine, caring, and selfless. To know him was to love him, and his absence leaves a void that words cannot fully express.

We take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, free from the struggles that weighed so heavily upon him. He will forever remain in our hearts, loved now and always.

Rest peacefully, dear Will. You will be missed beyond measure.

The Live Stream Link for Wills

Gallery


Memory wall

Post your condolences or share your Memories.


January 16, 2025
I am incredibly saddened to learn of Will's passing. Although I only knew him for a few years, we had several insightful & meaningful chats and he always made a point to check in on his friends which was one of his many qualities.
I admired his intelligence, generous & caring nature and his sense of humour! My thoughts are with his family at this time & I will miss him dearly.
Rest in peace darling xx
George Mason
January 12, 2025
I was very saddened to read of Will’s death. Some thirty years have passed since I was his teacher over four years but I remember him well as a sensitive, insightful and exceptionally gifted student. He was quietly spoken and gentle but could step out of his comfort zone, accepting a role as a Roman god in a short student film, garbed in toga and wreath. A huge loss for family, friend and colleagues. Kim
Kim Tattersall
December 24, 2024
We were both very upset to hear about Will's passing. I have known Will for about 10 years and my partner Karl has known him since we first met 4 years ago, and we both considered him a great friend. If we could describe Will in three words, we'd say he was intelligent, funny and complex. Rest in peace.
Ashton & Karl Bult-Seidel
December 23, 2024
It's so hard to know where to start. Maybe it's because even though we know you have gone, it's hard to believe that you have. I loved listening to Mum Jane's stories of you growing up. Your compassion and acceptance of anyone shining through even as a child. She is so very proud of you, of what you have achieved and the man that you became. We loved your gentleness, your softly spoken words and the way you genuinely listened (not a mean feat with Daniel's stories (did i mention his quiet patience)) and you just knew that Will cared. I know Daniel definitely will miss their talks.

Will, you seemed so good when we saw you last. You hid your pain well. Not wanting anyone to be saddened by the torment that must have been flowing inside.

You will be missed
Susan and Daniel
December 22, 2024
Dear Will,
I was very saddened to hear of your passing and my condolences to your Mum and your extended family.
You were always so kind and caring for the patients you looked after, wanting to always do the absolute best for them. You were a quiet colleague who always had a smile and a gentle soul.
You will be missed.
Leanne Rhodes
December 21, 2024
To my dear friend Will.

My heart aches for Will, for his family, for his friends, for his colleagues, for his patients, & most of for his mother Jane.
Jane devoted her life to you Will & she was so proud of your gentle soul & academic achievements.
Even as a fourteen year old teenager, you tried to teach basic biochemical science to a forty year old with patience & perseverance but I still did not understand but I did pass my test. Thanks Will.
I wish you had understood how many people respected & loved you. I will love you until the end of time.
Bronwyn
Bronwyn West
December 21, 2024
I'm so saddened to hear about Will. I got to know Will though Friends , Michael was one of them . He was a true gent. Will was the guy who drove me to the airport on my last long stay in New Zealand in 2016. I was ever so grateful for him to do that. I went back to New Zealand in February 2024 and it happened I met him at BGO with Michael. Lovely guy with a big heart ❤️. Last time we made contact was for his birthday and he was glad to hear from me. Rest in peace Will. from Richie in Ireland
Richie Beary
December 21, 2024
Dearest Will,
We still can’t believe that you are gone. Auckland Hospital General Medicine is not the same for us without you :( You were certainly the exception in that you always seemed to love being at work, unlike the rest of us! Your passion and enthusiasm for anything you got involved with was truly admirable. You were so welcoming to everyone, without any ounce of bias, and seemed to only see the good in others. You were such a kind and generous colleague and friend to us. We are so sad that you were going through so much silently. You don’t know how much we are missing you now and will always miss you. We hope you are soaring high way above the clouds. Every time we see a rainbow in the sky, we will think of you and the happy memories of you.

Here is a lovely memory of you with the Red team staff on ward 63 at Angela’s birthday celebration August 2023 🧡
Bodhi & Samadhi Wimalasena
December 21, 2024
I never knew you, Will, but I have been touched by your care and compassion for others. May you now know Life in its fullness.
Jeremy Dover
December 20, 2024
Will, what a gap you have left in my life. I am grateful for the times we spent together, our walks, with me waiting patiently while you sorted out the best angle for a photo, your love of family meals, particularly your Mum’s cooking, always ready with a tea-towel in your hand to help with dishes. Your kindness, compassion and support for others, sharing your knowledge willingly without taking away anyone’s autonomy to make decisions. You brought so much joy to family and friends, being unfailingly gracious to my family and friends. You loved colour, gorgeous shirts and gave beautiful, carefully considered gifts. Missing you Will, it’s hard getting used to you not being here, we all miss you. Signing off as you always did xxx Helen
Helen Gilmour-Jones
December 20, 2024
Our friendship is one like no other. It grew from strength to strength and now I feel an emptiness that cannot be filled by anyone.. Will is a truly special person because I have such good memories with him. You helped me through some dark days in my life which shows how supportive you were my dear friend. I miss you so very much and love you always. Till we meet again ..
Neil Hemraj
December 20, 2024
Great work buddy, dedicated, careful and hard-working doctor, loved pen and paper, a valued endocrinology and diabetes teacher, helped out others at work, lover of cinnamon scrolls and the Auckland Hospital Friday roast pork meals, longtime collector of coke zero bottles for competition entries, stylish and professional dresser, beautiful leather shoes, happy and playful socks, stylishly colourful shirts. Miss you my colleague and friend.
Oliver M
December 19, 2024
Will, a kind, compassionate man full of heart and warmth. You will be missed for your generous kind and friendly nature. Your intellect second to none and always a welcoming person to all no matter their background. or walk of life. You will be missed.
David
David
December 18, 2024
My dearest Will,
My beloved only son. Words cannot express the profound sorrow caused by your sudden passing. You were the centre of my universe. Together, with the unwavering support from family and friends, we navigated the sudden and far too early loss of a husband and father. Somehow, we managed to make it work—me as a working mum and you as a bright and creative child. A child mature beyond your years, who at not yet three began to understand that even when you cherish someone, they can be taken from you.

You were a delightful and easy child, gifted and socially confident.

I remember the drama you wrote and planned to stage for the rest of your primary school. And, your enthusiasm for this project, the time and energy you and your fellow pupils put into preparing for this grand event. The deep disappointment you felt when, even though you had researched and had the facts to support your case, you couldn't convince your school headmaster that the batteries, fireworks’ fuses, and gunpowder were completely safe components of your theatrical finale—a “safe indoor fireworks” display.

I have the greatest admiration for you, Will. Despite your purposely hidden but life-impacting health issues, you almost without exception remained other-focused, compassionate, gentle and kind. I miss you deeply.

Lots of love, Mum

“Joy and woe are woven fine
A clothing for the soul divine;
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.
It is right it should be so;
Man was made for joy and woe;
And when this we rightly know,
Through the world
We safely go.”
~ Blake
Jane Dransfield
December 18, 2024
Will’s presence was deeply felt and admired by everyone. Today, we surely feel his absence.

When I first met Will, I couldn’t have imagined how much our friendship would grow. Over the past six years, we’ve shared countless laughs, drinks, and memorable gatherings together.

If love alone could sustain you, my friend, you would live forever.

As we move forward without you, we promise to carry your memory with us - always loving, kind, and gentle.
Ethan & Alex
December 18, 2024
Dr Will, my big hearted, caring, kind and gentle friend, if only you could have seen what all of us could see, a beautiful soul that shone out of you. You were a constant in my life, a quirky man with a passion for loud shirts and those awful RTDs which you always left behind in my fridge. I will miss our morning walks to Waterview Coffee Project for a flat white and a custard filled donut, our dinners at home or up at Ponsonby Food Court and your dry wit and calming presence.The only thing that makes it easier to bear not having you here is the knowledge that you are finely experiencing what a lot of us take for granted, peace, tranquility, contentment and not having to battle anymore for even the smallest bit of joy. Your time here was never defined by the struggles you faced but by your empathy and the lives of so many that you touched.We will meet again soon. Martin xx
Martin Donnelly
December 18, 2024
I'm sending a dove to heaven
With a parcel on its wings
Be careful as you open it
It's full of wonderful things
Inside are a million kisses
Wrapped up in a million hugs
To say how much I miss you
And to send you all of my love.
I hold you close within my heart
And there you will remain
To walk with me throughout this life
Until we meet again
My beautiful boy, I love you so much
Catherine Gow
December 18, 2024
He was our special boy.
Aunty B
December 18, 2024
Will (Willbert)

Cousin and friend. We remember all the times you were with us through the school holidays as a young lad and all the memorable times spent with Nana, the special biscuits brought only for you.

In later years it was always a pleasure to share family events (birthdays, Christmas etc) together.

We thank God for all the special times we shared and the recent conversation, where we affirmed our affection and love for each other and thoroughly enjoyed the wide ranging topics we covered - a special time we will cherish forever.

Be at peace my dear cousin, you will always be in our hearts.
Cousin Heather & Michael
December 17, 2024
Will,
You were a light in our lives, a vibrant thread in the tapestry of our family, and your absence leaves a void we cannot fill.

Though your path was marked by struggles unseen, I will remember the beauty of who you were—the laughter we shared, the kindness you showed, the way you made my world a little brighter just by being in it. You were a gift, a reflection of God’s own creativity and I have always adored you.

Though I will never fully understand why you left us, dear Will, I will forever hold you in my heart. May the peace of Christ, which transcends all understanding, guard you and bring you to a place of everlasting rest. Until we meet again, may you know how deeply you were loved—by me, by our family, and by the Creator who fashioned you with infinite care.

I miss you.
Rosemary Timmins

Service


You are warmly invited to join us as we come together to celebrate the life of our beloved Will. While his passing leaves a space in our hearts, we wish to honour the joy, kindness, and countless cherished moments he brought into our lives. This gathering will be a time to share memories, reflect on his incredible impact, and celebrate the beautiful person he was. Your presence will mean so much as we remember Will with love, laughter, and gratitude.

The Live Stream Link for the service is https://iknowit.nz/watch/893_will-jonathan-dransfield
Location
Tipene Funerals
24 Hill Street, Onehunga, Auckland
Date/time
18/01/2025 2pm
File
RSVP
Share

Secure payment

First Lastname donation
Order total: $ 0
Your host will receive your funds within 24 hours.