William Samuel "Willie" Vriner, born February 6, 1950, passed away on January 2, 2026.

Willie lived life on his own terms. With the constant goal of a good time, he was popular everywhere he went. He often found himself in various forms of trouble, but if you knew him you know this seldom stopped him. What he couldn't charm his way out of he dealt with in his own unflappable way that was curiously impressive.

A thrill-seeker, he often put himself into situations that would make most men run in the opposite direction. Willie dealt with what came of his actions head-on and said that he walked on the sunny side of the street whenever he had a chance.

He loved food and he loved to cook, most likely a product of growing up at Vriner's Confectionary. He could often be found in the kitchen in the middle of night frying pork chops or steaks with mashed potatoes, making a full meal for whoever woke up first. His food was delicious and he would even clean up his own massive mess of pans and utensils. He loved the Cubs and the bleachers at Wrigley Field. He followed every game and would send texts of every update to people he knew cared about the outcome. He would say that if he gambled on one of their games, he would bet against them so that whether they won or lost, he still won.

Willie was both simple and complicated. He had a giant heart, an insatiable appetite, and a fierce loyalty. His threshold for pain, both physical and emotional, was immense. He was quick to cry and not afraid of a fight. He was a person to emulate in many ways but a cautionary tale in many others. He will be sorely missed.

Willie is survived by his son, Michael (Kate) Vriner. His granddaughters, Rita and Evelyn. His siblings Peter (Tamala) Vrinios, Georgia (Dennis) Vriner-Paul, Joannie (Milton) Vriner and countless cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel (Tyke) and Barbara (Bessie) Vriner.

A celebration of life to honor Willie will be held on March 27th from 3-5pm at Venue CU (formerly Vriner's Confectionary).

Members of the Vriner family have suffered from Alzheimer's Disease, including Tyke Vriner. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association to help battle this disease.