Will Norton's father accepts Western Kentucky fraternity pin for his son

Volunteers from Western Kentucky University made their third trip to Joplin recently to help with tornado recovery efforts, and the highlight of the visit, according to David Serafini, advisor of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, was the chance to meet Mark Norton, father of Will Norton, the Joplin High School graduate who was killed in the May 22 tornado.

From the Western Kentucky University Herald:

Although helping people was rewarding, Serafini said the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly meeting Mark Norton, the father of PSP honorary brother, Will Norton.

Will Norton, an 18-year-old graduate of Joplin High School, was killed during the  tornado that struck Joplin on his graduation day. Norton was driving home from the ceremony with his father when they were caught in the storm. His father survived, but Norton’s body wasn’t found until several days later in a nearby pond, just blocks from his home.

It’s because of Norton’s story that Serafini first organized a trip to Joplin to help with rebuilding efforts. On previous trips, the PSP group has met Tracey Presslor, Norton’s aunt, and Keegan Tinney, his best friend. In November, Norton was inducted into PSP as an honorary brother of the fraternity.

Mark Norton met with the WKU group in Cunningham Park — a park built by Extreme Makeover Home Edition near the remains of St. John’s Hospital — to receive his son’s membership pin and certificate from PSP.

“Here we are meeting with Will’s father and we’re in the shadow of this,” Serafini said. “Your heart comes up into your throat a little bit.”