William Lewis Robinson was born on March 27, 1996, in Huntsville, Alabama, to Randy and Melanie Robinson. He grew up with a love for the outdoors on the family property in Lincoln County, Tennessee, where he enjoyed hunting, hiking, and exploring the land with his brothers. Always athletic, he played sports throughout his life. He participated in swim team, soccer, and wrestling at Lincoln County High School where he graduated in 2014. He went on to college at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga where he majored in Biochemistry. While at UTC he was a lifeguard and loved hiking, bicycling, and being outside.  

Bright, curious, and with a scientific mind, he had a passion and a gift for chemistry. He excelled in his studies and upon obtaining his bachelor’s degree in 2018, he entered a PhD program in Organic Chemistry at Purdue University. Will had published several papers on his research. Having completed the requirements for his program, he was just finalizing his dissertation.

Upon graduation, Will had planned to take a short break to hike and explore this beautiful country we live in; he was considering thru hiking the Appalachian Trail or going out west. He hoped to contribute to the world by working in the pharmaceutical industry for a while, then dreamed of becoming a professor of chemistry at a university. He had already started down this path of teaching by tutoring others in chemistry at UTC and serving as a graduate teaching assistant at Purdue. His life’s work, he always said, was to always keep learning and to share his knowledge with others.

Along with his parents he is survived by his sister, Katey Robinson; brothers, Ben, Jack (fiancé Shelby), Sam, Luke, and Nate Robinson; niece, Addie Robinson; maternal grandmother, Jean Hall; uncles, Marcus (Jill) Hall, Michel (Barbara) Hall, Larry (Pam) Robinson, Rickey (Melanie) Robinson; and aunt, Karen Robinson.  He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Valdor Hall; and paternal grandparents, Larn and Jeanette Robinson.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 am on Saturday, September 18, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, TN with visitation starting at 10:00. A graveside service will follow at Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the William L. Robinson Chemistry Scholarship at the bank of Lincoln County, P O Box 778, Fayetteville, TN 37334.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Lewis Robinson.