Mark David Williford died peacefully on October 13, 2025 in Rockledge, Florida just shy of his 72nd birthday. Long before the onset of symptoms of XK disease, he was a natural athlete who loved to swim and roam the neighborhood with his friends. He met the woman who would become his wife, the then Joy Willard, in his senior year of high school, when teachers sat them in alphabetical order. Their first date was senior prom and they celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in December 2024.

Mark attended the University of Central Florida for two years before transferring to the University of Florida to complete his degree in Pharmacy in 1976. After graduating pharmacy school, he worked at Leesburg General Hospital before he and Joy moved to Melbourne, Florida where Mark took a job at an independent retail pharmacy. He soon moved on to employment at Holmes Regional Medical Center where he remained for 10 years, making many friends. He was appointed as the first pharmacist at the newly built Palm Bay Community Hospital in 1992, continuing to serve there until retirement – prompted by progressive XK symptoms - in 2010. He was named 2005-6 Palm Bay Community Hospital Star Performer. Mark was known to be honest and hardworking, and nurses loved his sweet and funny nature, as well as his willingness to stay beyond his shift’s end to get their last-minute pharmacy needs met.

In his spare time Mark attempted to learn the banjo, enjoyed Scottish Country Dancing (winning the “Bonniest Buns” contest at Thistle School), was a consistent swimmer and later water aerobics attendee at Pro Health and Fitness. He loved to read, especially in his later years. He also was an under the radar sports and Florida Gator expert and loved Broadway musicals, especially My Fair Lady. He loved Western movies and could quote by heart most episodes of the Andy Griffith Show. Mark loved ice cream, with several cartons always in the freezer. He had a crazy talent for wiggling his ears, which entertained all, but especially children. All who had the chance to meet and know Mark quickly discovered what a kind, funny and gentle man he was. He had a quick and dry wit. He was rooted in his faith and his family. He was a longtime member of his local Episcopal church and served as an active acolyte for many years as a child, teen, and adult. For several years he was the chair of his church’s Health Committee, and also helped to deliver flowers to shut-ins.

Above all, Mark was a devoted husband to Joy and father to his daughters, Melissa and Katie. He supported Joy in all of her professional and community ventures, including her move to Tennessee for three years to attend seminary. He was always encouraging of her work with Neuroacanthocytosis Advocacy USA, Inc, and accompanied her to international symposiums in Bethesda, Maryland, the University of Michigan, Dresden and Homburg, Germany. He truly was a supportive and loving partner.

Mark loved his daughters deeply and dearly. He taught them to ride a bike, bowl, drive a car, and much more. After a long day at work he would still be found at their many sporting events and activities. This devotion and support continued on to his grandchildren, even when his mobility became limited.

Mark is survived by his wife, his daughters Melissa Euziere (Michael) of Melbourne and Katie Grant (Travis) of Gainesville, as well as five grandchildren, Emerson and Cooper Euziere and Owen, Bennett, and Eloise Grant. Mark was also “dad” to Anne Lahtinen of Helsinki, Finland. He will be missed by extended family and dear friends. Mark was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Eric. Eric also succumbed to XK disease.

A lot of those who knew Mark and his family were interested in contributing in memoriam, and made donations to NA Advocacy USA, Inc. A generous anonymous donor has stepped forward and will be matching these donations made between October 13 and December 31, 2025. 

If you wish to  support continued research towards better treatment and ultimately a cure for the ultra-rare neuroacanthocytosis syndromes, please use the Donate button on NA Advocacy USA and be sure to include “in memory of Mark” in the comment field provided by PayPal. If donating by check, please add a note stating “in memory of Mark.” 

Mark gave abundantly and loved fully. His family would truly not be who they are without the gift of being loved by this wonderful man. He will be deeply, deeply missed. His goodness was wide, pure, and deep. His family finds comfort in knowing that he is finally free of the awful XK disease that slowly ravaged his body for the past 25 years. In one final act of love, Mark donated his brain and tissue from his heart, liver, spleen, peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and muscle to the brain bank at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, to be used in research on XK disease. 

Mark lived and loved so, so well. He will be missed forever.