This story was later edited and published in the March/April 2025 edition of Paducah Life Magazine.
From bold geometric shapes to vibrant neon floral patterns, Will Brandon is known for his dynamic collection of unique button-up shirts. “They’re very loud. They’re colorful, they’re eccentric. All at the same time,” Will shared. His eclectic collection is known by many, even if they don’t know his name. “It’s my signature look. I think there’s a lot of people in town locally that just know me as ‘the shirt guy’. And honestly, I could think of nothing more that I would love.” But beyond Will’s bold fashion style sits an effervescent community champion who valiantly advocates for those around him and the community that continues to show up and show out for good.
Will has called Paducah home all of his life. Growing up in McCracken County, Will was a part of the last graduating class of Heath High School before the county’s three-school merger. He attended West Kentucky Community & Technical College before transferring to Western Kentucky University. “It was when I left Paducah that I got an appreciation,” Will expressed. “And I think that that’s true for a lot of people.” Two years later, he came back to Paducah with a college degree and a new ambition. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do, I had no idea… I was like ‘I love Paducah so much, I just want to do something.’”
Will soon landed himself in the non-profit world, working for Yeiser Art Center, one of Paducah’s cultural hubs in Downtown Paducah after volunteering and serving on their board. “I had no background in art, no background in non-profits… I just said ‘I will show up, I want to talk to people, I want to do more with my city.’” Will has held true to that sentiment. His work has continually impacted the Paducah’s tapestry with his work at YAC, working as the co-director of the Lowertown Arts & Music Festival, and now serving at Paducah Cooperative Ministry as their Community Engagement Coordinator.
Paducah continued to become much brighter for Will over the years. He developed new friendships, connections, and found new joys in the landscape that his community provided. Will found “a second home” at Paducah Beer Werks. “I don’t drink at all. I was just there to enjoy the food and enjoy the people. One of my things is going to a show there with all the local bands.” Before the world shut down, Will was dreaming about his ideal band lineup to see at Paducah Beer Works. He soon brought it up to some of his friends and the question soon snowballed into a birthday celebration for Will and a fun joke between friends. “It was kind of a joke, it was like ‘let’s do WillFest’.” But that idea soon became a reality on February 1, 2020 when Will had his first WillFest at Paducah Beer Werks. The celebration went off without a hitch and the one night only celebration stayed that way until recently.
Will’s two brothers, Jake and Luke, moved away from Paducah until recently. Jake and his family moved back to Paducah in 2017 and Luke and his family moved to Paducah in 2024. Will now has three nephews which he cherishes dearly. “ They are one of the best gifts I never knew I needed,” Will shared sentimentally. But on November 1, 2024 Jake’s family received devastating news; Their youngest son, Cannon, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer, a rare childhood cancerous tumor that develops from nerve cells. Will was heartbroken. “With tough situations like that, it’s kind of hard to find joy and hope.” Cannon has been traveling to Louisville for treatments.
But after receiving the news and processing the shock, Will got to work on an idea to help his family; bring back WillFest as a fundraiser for Cannon. Will is all too familiar with event planning after spending years serving as the co-director of the Lowertown Arts and Music Festival. “I started calling everyone,” shared Will. And everyone he did. From local artists to local musicians, Will planned a vibrant event with the incredible support of the community. Paducah Beer Werks, local artist Randall Griggs, and local musicians Maewyn and Bronzfonz all showing up to be a part of WillFest ‘25. All the proceeds raised at the event will be going to support Cannon’s family. “This is the thing that I want to do to support the people that I love that gave me so much joy and support that I could really never repay.”
When he shared about WillFest ‘25 for the first time on Facebook, people near and far quickly rallied around the event to help support Cannon and his family. Local businesses offered services to support the event or to set out donation jars, individuals shared over 200 times, and people asked how they could donate online. The outpour of support was large, a true testament to the community Will has grown to love.
Will hopes that this transformation of WillFest continues to make a difference in Paducah. “Seeing how the community has rallied around this and what the community can do, I would love to continue to make this about more. I think that I owe that to the people of this community. Because I would be nothing without them.”
WillFest ‘25 is set to begin at 8pm on Saturday, February 1 at Paducah Beer Werks with local musicians Maewyn and Bronzfonz. Posters will be available for purchase. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will go to Cannon and his family to support Cannon’s cancer treatment. You can learn more about the event on Facebook. If you aren’t able to attend but wish to donate, a donation site has been made for Cannon.
