Shillong (Meghalaya), May 15: Gordon Willie Suting, a prolific writer, poet, and music enthusiast, passed away on May 14 at the age of 36. Willie, as he was lovingly known among his peer groups, had gone for a morning walk when tragedy struck.
The literary community in Shillong is mourning the loss of this talented young writer. Born and raised in Shillong, Willie leaves behind a legacy of his work and a void that will be hard to fill. He is survived by his parents and two sisters.
Willie was an intellectual with his own constructive opinions on politics, media, and society. As a poet, Willie revealed the anxieties of an individual confronted with life’s realities, love, and rejection. His poems were published in leading print and online media outlets.
He was also a voracious reader, often donating books to friends and well-wishers. Willie was always the first to know about new publications by Shillong authors and would share his knowledge about old Shillong and the changes in the modern city with his friends and fellow writers.
As a feature writer, his stories appeared in The Shillong Times, where he worked for some time, as well as in The Meghalayan and other publications. Music was another passion of his, with a deep understanding of the music scenario. He would often share his thoughts on music with his friends and family, and his father, a musician himself, likely influenced his love for music.
Willie’s funeral will be held on Friday, May 16, at Malki Presbyterian Cemetery, near his residence. The community will deeply miss this promising talent, and his family and friends will remember him for his passion, intellect, and love for life.
