1984
William
2015
William Tyler Tankard
April 26, 1984 — July 30, 2015
William Tyler Tankard, 31, of Aiken, SC, died along with his loyal Boston Terrier, Chewy, and 3 of his polo ponies in a traffic accident on Interstate 76 in Ohio on Thursday afternoon, July 30. He was hauling 10 of his horses from Lexington, KY, to Boston, MA, with a stop-over in Darlington, PA.
Born in Nashville, TN, polo was in Will's blood as his father, Bill, and mother, Katherine "Cissie," loved horses and exposed him to the sport from an early age. Polo would become a passion for Will at every stage of his life. He won the National Interscholastic title twice (2002 and 2003) as well as National Intercollegiate Championships in 2006 for Texas Tech, where he graduated with a degree in agricultural economics in 2008. As a professional player, he won many notable tournaments including the 12-goal National Copper Cup in 2012 and 2013 in Aiken as well as the 12-goal Copa Garzaron in Argentina.
Will also represented the United States frequently as he was selected to Team USPA in 2012, won the Bryan Morrison Cup in 2014 in England, and recently competed on the US team in the FIP World Championships of polo in Chile this past March. He was not only a talented player but also an accomplished horse trainer and rider. Will was a true horseman and gentleman who loved the polo community and set a wonderful example for our youth players and was an inspiration to adults as well.
Will didn't have to be on horseback to enjoy polo as he loved playing bike polo with his friends on Powderhouse field in Aiken. He also enjoyed pick-up soccer, chainsaw work on his farm, barbequing with friends, and rooting on the Dallas Cowboys on Sundays in the fall. Will was a genuine, caring, hardworking, witty, talented and passionate human being who will be missed deeply by many.
Will leaves behind his mother Katherine T. "Cissie" Jones Snow of Aiken, his father Bill Tankard of Nashville, TN, his brother Jason Melson of Huntsville, AL, his beloved partner Samira Waernlund, and his faithful string of polo ponies.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 27, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation with a reception to follow.
Donations to help with the recovery of his horses can be made at facebook.com/rememberwill and tax deductible donations should be made to AIPF, 12300 S. Shore Blvd., STE 218,
Wellington, FL 33414.
For full obituary and condolences visit beckerobits.com
Born in Nashville, TN, polo was in Will's blood as his father, Bill, and mother, Katherine "Cissie," loved horses and exposed him to the sport from an early age. Polo would become a passion for Will at every stage of his life. He won the National Interscholastic title twice (2002 and 2003) as well as National Intercollegiate Championships in 2006 for Texas Tech, where he graduated with a degree in agricultural economics in 2008. As a professional player, he won many notable tournaments including the 12-goal National Copper Cup in 2012 and 2013 in Aiken as well as the 12-goal Copa Garzaron in Argentina.
Will also represented the United States frequently as he was selected to Team USPA in 2012, won the Bryan Morrison Cup in 2014 in England, and recently competed on the US team in the FIP World Championships of polo in Chile this past March. He was not only a talented player but also an accomplished horse trainer and rider. Will was a true horseman and gentleman who loved the polo community and set a wonderful example for our youth players and was an inspiration to adults as well.
Will didn't have to be on horseback to enjoy polo as he loved playing bike polo with his friends on Powderhouse field in Aiken. He also enjoyed pick-up soccer, chainsaw work on his farm, barbequing with friends, and rooting on the Dallas Cowboys on Sundays in the fall. Will was a genuine, caring, hardworking, witty, talented and passionate human being who will be missed deeply by many.
Will leaves behind his mother Katherine T. "Cissie" Jones Snow of Aiken, his father Bill Tankard of Nashville, TN, his brother Jason Melson of Huntsville, AL, his beloved partner Samira Waernlund, and his faithful string of polo ponies.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, August 27, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation with a reception to follow.
Donations to help with the recovery of his horses can be made at facebook.com/rememberwill and tax deductible donations should be made to AIPF, 12300 S. Shore Blvd., STE 218,
Wellington, FL 33414.
For full obituary and condolences visit beckerobits.com
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