William Zarifi, a USC senior, died Oct. 9 at his family’s home in Tucson , Ariz. after a three-year battle with brain cancer. He was 21.
Family and classmates remembered him as a true friend, a committed student and a positive role model.
“He really was the perfect guy,” said Walid Zarifi, Will’s older brother. “If I died today and could come back as anyone, I’d want to be him.”
Will, a business administration major, excelled at his studies and aspired to graduate USC as a valedictorian, earning straight As even amid two brain surgeries, when he missed a week of school.
“He loved school. He loved to do well,” Walid said.
Will refused to let illness interfere with his studies, arguing to be allowed to continue taking finals even after he collapsed during a test last semester, and attempted to take online classes when he could no longer attend in person, his brother said.
Will was popular in high school, and chose USC because of its business program, school spirit and because he “didn’t want to be a big fish in a small pond forever,” Walid said.
He loved playing sports, including basketball, baseball and football, said T.J. Ross, who lived near Will freshman year and was his roommate during sophomore and part of junior year.
“He liked organizing everyone to go out and play. He liked making people laugh,” Ross, a senior majoring in business administration said.
In his freshman and sophomore years, Will served as a manager to the men’s basketball team. Coach Tim Floyd will speak at his memorial service Monday in Tucson.
Will originally dreamed of managing a basketball team, but began studying entrepreneurship, and decided he wanted to own a team.
“He had big dreams,” Ross said, describing Will as larger-than-life and charismatic.
Ross admired Will before he was sick for being smart and likable, and afterward for being “the most courageous person I’ve ever met,” Ross said.
“During freshman year, he was the most popular guy on the floor. No one would eat until he said, ‘Let’s go eat,’” he said.
Sara Lerner, Will’s friend and classmate, recalled meeting him during her freshman orientation.
“He was my very first friend at USC,” said Lerner, a senior majoring in print journalism.
Lerner also said she admires her friend for his outstanding bravery and courage during his battle against cancer.
“He looked at everything with a smile, including death,” Lerner said.
Walid said such behavior was typical of his brother, pointing to his lifelong belief in the power of positive thought.
“He never got down. He never once said ‘Why me?’ He never cried,” he said. “When we asked him on a scale of one to 10 how happy he was, he always said an eight at least.”
In addition to living a joyful life, Lerner noted that Will also shined as a beacon of inspiration to her and others who knew him.
“I think most people will spend their entire lives trying to be the kind of person Will was, and I think few will ever succeed. Any of us will be lucky to even come close.”
Will is survived by his parents, Samia and Ahmad; his siblings, Walid, Sami and Linda.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, Oct. 13 at Salpointe Catholic High School Gymnasium, with burial to follow at East Lawn Palms Cemetery. Friends are planning an on-campus vigil in Will’s honor to be held later this week.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the William Zarifi Memorial Fund c/o the Aslan Foundation. Donations will be used to benefit underprivileged children in third world countries. Donations can be mailed to 3400 E. Finger Rock Circle, Tucson, AZ 85718.
USC student William Zarifi dies at 21
Family members said Zarifi always wore a smile, even during his fight against cancer.
Published: Sunday, October 12, 2008
Updated: Sunday, October 12, 2008
 "Photo: Photo courtesy of T.J. Ross")
Photo courtesy of T.J. Ross
William Zarifi
3 comments
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I read about him in the uk via a news website ... what a gorgeous boy. Its been an honour to read his thoughts.
dalal
he was an awsome person. he was like my older brother. he never let me down. when i heard he was sick i was heart broken. he is the best person you can meet. he always looked on the bright side, and could find one in any situation. i really miss him. he will always have a place in my heart.
Jakita Morgan, Office Manager
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Will was a great person and I will miss him coming by the USG office to get some candy before he went to class. He always made me laugh when he visited the office. He will surely be missed.
