Willard (or Van as he became known to his friends) was the youngest son of the family. His interests at school were mainly scientific but from a young age he began to interest himself with philosophical questions.
Kanyang interes sa paaralan ay higit sa lahat ng siyensiya ngunit mula sa isang batang may edad na siya ay nagsimulang interes sa kanyang sarili sa pilosopiko mga katanungan.