William August Engler 4th of Oak Bluffs died on Jan. 23 at the age of 25 after a valiant struggle with drug addiction and mental health issues.

August’s journey through life was a testament to his unwavering resolve and boundless optimism, even in the face of adversity.

He was born at 11:04 a.m. on Sept. 13, 1998. It was an awe-inspiring day when the sky above Philadelphia, Pa. was painted an unforgettable brilliant blue and his family’s hearts filled with joy.

Nicknamed Cake-E-Toot, August’s beautiful blue eyes and radiant smile became a source of light for his parents Bill and Sharon as they embarked on the adventure of parenthood. With his “coohwie blankie” safely by his side, they ventured to Connecticut when August was just nine months old. It was the beginning of their journey together that would take the growing family coast to coast, Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica and beyond.

After Connecticut, August and his family moved to Tacoma, Wash., Bill’s hometown, to be close to family and friends. Nestled on the shores of Puget Sound in the small community of Dash Point, August’s childhood was filled with the simple pleasures of life by the sea. From fishing on the doorstep of his grandparent’s beachfront home, spending hours gazing at the bald eagle to his fun-filled s’mores at Cousin Camp, his early years were a tapestry of love, laughter and a joy of discovery.

The lush landscapes of Martha’s Vineyard became his playground during his adolescence. His passion for fishing, biking, skiing and exploring the great outdoors was undiminished by physical challenges, a testament to his resilience and zest for life. Despite battling mental health and substance use disorder, his spirit remained unbroken. His mantra “The Best is Yet to Come!” was a beacon of hope, not just for him but for all of us.

August’s aspirations for the future were bright, with dreams of college firmly within his grasp. His enrollment at Worcester State University for the spring semester of 2024 symbolized a new chapter that promised to unfold.

Yet fate had other plans and August’s journey on this earth came to an untimely end on Jan. 23. Another young life brought to an end at the hands of mental health and substance abuse. But once again August never gave up as he donated his heart, liver, pancreases and both kidneys so other individuals, their families, friends and communities could live on.

August’s memory is cherished by his loving parents, Bill and Sharon Engler; his siblings Rose, Owen, Jack, and Lucy; his devoted grandparents Jacquie and Ray Witherrite; and a circle of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whose lives he enriched immeasurably.

His family invites the community to join them in honoring a soul whose light shone brightly, a beacon of courage and hope. A memorial of life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Portuguese American Club in Oak Bluffs. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Vineyard Haven.

Memorial contributions may be made to the William August Engler Scholarship Fund, aimed at supporting MVRHS graduates who, like August, have faced mental health and/or substance use challenges and continue to pursue their dreams of college or trade school. Honor August’s memory by supporting others to never give up on their dreams, embodying his spirit because “The Best is Yet to Come!”