DENISON, Texas (KXII) – On Monday, Nick’s Restaurant in Denison hosted a fundraiser for the family of a Denison police officer who died of cancer over the weekend.

“Will was a blessing to us,” said Pamella Gilbert, an employee at Nick’s Restaurant. “He was a very honorable, honest man, very family-oriented. He was a good guy and we will miss him very much.”

On Saturday, Officer Will Deering of the Denison Police Department lost his battle with leukemia at the age of just 42, leaving behind a wife and three children.

Deering served and protected the people of Denison for more than 14 years.

“This is a man who is literally like a brother to every member of this department,” Holly Jenkins, a lieutenant with Denison Police’s Special Operations Unit, said last week, before Deering’s death. “He would give you the shirt off his back. He is the kindest, most generous person I have ever met.”

In addition to his friends and family, a local restaurant owner also knew him very well.

“We saw him often, several times a week,” Gilbert said. “After the conversations I had with him over the years, he touched my heart.”

On Monday, Nick’s Restaurant in Denison made it a point to return the favor to Will and his family for all the time and many services he had given them.

“They showed us how much they valued us by coming out and supporting us,” Gilbert said. “His family came first and that’s why we want to support them and take care of them too.”

The restaurant says all proceeds from the day will benefit Deering’s family.

“I just wanted to give an extra large tip on top of what I give the waitress because we can’t do enough for our police officers,” said one guest.

Donations can also be made at any First United Bank branch or online at the family’s GoFundMe page.

“Show your support for our first responders, show them you really appreciate them,” Gilbert said. “Today is not about us. Today is about them.”

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