Laurel-area Church remembers pastor killed in crash near Easton

Abundant Life Church in Laurel is remembering their pastor, Shawn Willey who was killed in a crash Monday near Easton, Maryland.

According to Maryland State Police, shortly before 8 a.m., Monday troopers were dispatched to single vehicle crash on southbound Route 329, just south of Loves Folly Farm Road near Easton, Maryland.

Troopers arrived and found the driver, identified as Shawn Willey, 46, of Bridgeville, pinned inside a boom truck. Upon investigation, troopers learned that the truck failed to negotiate the curves along Route 329, ran off the road, and struck a sign, a telephone pole, and then overturned on the passenger sides near the woods.

Willey suffered serious injuries and was transported to Easton Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Following news of his passing, Abundant Life Church rallied together to remember their beloved Pastor, sharing photos and their marquee sign which now reads: “In Loving Memory of Pastor Shawn Willey.”

Abundant Life posted a photo of their marquee with a caption of a Bible verse: John 10:10 – “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.“

Kim Wladkowski, a member of the Church, shared memories of Pastor Shawn who she said was well loved and truly cared for the congregation and those he helped in the community.

“Pastor Shawn was one of the most genuine people I have ever met in my life,” Wladkowski explained. “The community and the Church has lost someone so significant in so many peoples lives. When I first met him, he was like ‘I know where I’m going.’ And when he preached, it showed on him, you never had to worry about his salvation, you knew where he was going.”

A longtime member of the Church, Jeanie Nelson said she was “heartbroken” while sharing memories of Pastor Shawn following news of his passing.

“He’s the one that baptized me, not even three weeks ago, and he was a huge impact,” Nelson explained. “He would stop to answer any questions you had, even in the middle of a sermon, he wouldn’t care if you had a question, he would try and answer it.”

Pastor Shawn is remembered as a kind, caring, man of faith who dedicated his life to God and helping others. He was very active in the community, volunteering his time coaching Woodbridge Football and to the faith-based addiction recovery organization Teen Challenge.

“He loved Jesus,” Nelson said. “He would say don’t cry for me when I’m gone, celebrate that I’m where I’m supposed to be.”