Carl Edwin Will Jr.

Carl Edwin Will, 101, Decorated WWII Veteran and Lifelong Youngstown Resident
BOARDMAN - Carl Edwin Will, 101, passed away peacefully, Sunday October 19, 2025, at Briarfield Place in Boardman, Ohio. Born July 28, 1924, in Youngstown, Carl lived a life marked by service, dedication, and love for family.
The son of Carl E. Will Sr. and Bessie (Harbor) Will, Carl grew up on West Delason Avenue in Youngstown and attended Princeton and South High Schools. He was the youngest of five siblings who predeceased him: Edna Hixenbaugh, Howard Will, Helen Kleeh, and Walter Will.
Carl proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, enlisting in November 1942. As a Technical Sergeant, he served as a radio operator and waist gunner aboard B-24 heavy bombers in the Mediterranean theater and B-47 cargo planes in the China-Burma-India theater. His valor earned him numerous commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, EAME Theater Ribbon with five stars, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with a Bronze Star, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in August 1945.
After the war, Carl built a career that reflected his strong work ethic and mechanical skill. He worked as a diesel locomotive engineer for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad, drove school bus for the Boardman School System, and later operated his own very successful Volkswagen repair service.
Carl was married twice: first to Mildred Arlene Barchie in 1947, who passed away in 1978, and later to Shirley Wittkugle in 1982, who preceded him in death in 2010. He is survived by his children, Thomas E. Will (Margaret), Janet L. Daley, Patricia A. Will, and Linda S. Skillman (Dave); stepdaughters Laurie Wittkugle and Lynda Oma; 12 grandchildren, including Scott Will, Michelle Hamstra, Kristy Vargo, Chad Will, Erin Pezzone, Matthew Skillman, Sarah Italiano, Jessica Skillman, and Rodney, Rachael, Roxanne, and Reneé Ramps and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Carl was preceded in death by his son David E. Will.
Carl will be remembered for his quiet strength, devotion to family, and unwavering patriotism. His legacy lives on in the generations he helped shape and the community he served. The family wishes to thank The Inn at Ironwood and the Briarfield Place staff, friends, and loved ones for their support and prayers.
Family and friends may call on Friday, November 14, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street in Boardman. There will be a memorial service on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Reverend David Watkins officiating, followed by Military Honors conducted by the U.S. Army and the Ellsworth V.F.W. Post 9571 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Market Street in Boardman.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that material tributes take the form of contributions in Carl's memory to the American Legion Columbiana Post #290, 44403 St. Rt. 14, Columbiana, Ohio 44408 or to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with Carl. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carl, please visit our floral store.