WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The grieving community of Williamson came together for a candlelight vigil at Jim VanZant Baseball Field Wednesday night, holding a candlelight vigil for Gabe and Allan Cantrell.
The two brothers, who were entering their eighth grade year at Williamson PK-8, tragically drowned swimming in the New River in Summers County this past weekend. The vigil for them was crowded as several hundred people circled the baseball diamond with lit candles.
Carmen Soltesz had the pleasure of teaching both boys, and said they both will be dearly missed. She had really looked forward to teaching Allan and Gabe again in the upcoming school year.
“They were both such good boys, and funny and intelligent and mischievous,” she said. “(They were) a lot of fun to be around. I was just devastated when I found out that these were the boys involved.”
The vigil included songs, speeches and prayers, as well as the lighting of many candles. Assistant Principal Ralph Pyszkowksi described the importance of coming together to not only help the Cantrell family emotionally, but also financially as well.
“I’m really proud of my community because we’ve already seen so many people step up to the plate,” Pyszkowski said. “Business people, churches, so many donating and helping the family out. Just us coming together I believe is going to provide the family great support in their time of need.”
Julius Hatcher, the school’s athletic director, talked about how much he looked forward to seeing Gabe and Allan each morning on his way to school.
“I saw them every morning on the bus,” Hatcher said. “I rode the bus with them and (loved) seeing them get on the bus, and seeing their smiles, and seeing that both of them-their attitude and wanting to come to school.”
Ross Holyfield, a friend of the brothers, said he would miss “always getting in trouble” with the brothers and them “always making me laugh.”
A gofundme.com account has been set up on the web by Williamson PK-8 to help the family with funeral expenses.
A visitation will be held Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at the Chafin Funeral House in Delbarton, and the funeral services will be Friday at 2:00 p.m.